Kim Min-seok: 'Must Win Seoul Mayoral Election, Will Stake Leadership on It'

Kim Min-seok, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party, has declared that the upcoming Seoul mayoral election is a critical contest that the party "must win." If elected party leader, Kim stated he would essentially stake his leadership on the results of this mayoral race, signaling its paramount importance.

Kim announced that upon his election in the August 17 party convention, he would immediately take charge of preparations for the Seoul mayoral election. This election could be triggered if the current Seoul Mayor, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party, is removed from office due to a conviction in a political funds law violation case.

Kim also referenced the upcoming by-election for the Gangneung parliamentary seat, stating that both the Seoul mayoral election and the Gangneung by-election are crucial for the party's future. He asserted that winning the Seoul mayoral election would symbolize a victory in the 수도권 (Seoul Metropolitan Area) for the general election two years later, while a win in Gangneung would represent success in a difficult constituency.

In a pointed critique of rival candidate Chung Jin-suk, Kim accused Chung of acting as if he had already secured the party leadership. Kim specifically criticized Chung's remarks about potentially appointing certain individuals to party positions, suggesting such actions were premature and could lead to the party losing electoral ground. Kim vowed to avoid "slip-ups" that could cost the party seats and ensure the central party does not miss opportunities due to indecision.