Kim Min-seok: Ruling Party Needs More Than Criticism to Win; Must Inspire Voters

Kim Min-seok, a former Prime Minister and contender for the Democratic Party's leadership, is positioning himself as the candidate with proven experience in winning crucial elections. Ahead of the party's national convention on August 17, Kim highlighted his unique qualifications, stating, "The two other candidates have already served as party leader, and I have not yet. With the general election two years away, I am the only one within the party who has directly led general, presidential, and local elections to victory."

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The two other candidates have already served as party leader, and I have not yet. With the general election two years away, I am the only one within the party who has directly led general, presidential, and local elections to victory.

Kim cited his past roles, including serving as the head of the general election headquarters during the Democratic Party's major victory in the 2010 local elections, as chief of the election situation room under party leader Lee Jae-myung in 2024, and as head of the presidential election plan headquarters last year. He asserted, "I have experience in winning, and I have a clear direction on how we can win."

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I have experience in winning, and I have a clear direction on how we can win.

Beyond electoral strategy, Kim stressed the need for the Democratic Party to evolve into a ruling party that embraces "youth, culture, and dignity" in addition to its traditional roles as a policy-focused and member-driven party. He argued that the ruling party cannot secure victory solely by labeling opponents as "bad." Instead, he urged the party to inspire voters with a compelling vision for the future. Kim also suggested that the party's communication style, including its attitudes, expressions, and demeanor when engaging with the public and opposing political forces, needs to become more refined.

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The ruling party cannot secure victory solely by labeling opponents as 'bad.' Instead, it must inspire people with a vision of what it intends to do.

Addressing the internal party concerns regarding the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, Kim suggested a pragmatic approach. He stated that the government's decision to abolish these rights has been made after comprehensive consideration, and the remaining task is to minimize potential issues during the legislative process. Kim believes that Parliament can select from the various proposed solutions that have emerged during discussions. He noted that while former Representative Chung Jin-suk has advocated for retaining supplementary investigation rights and former Representative Cho Kuk has suggested exceptions, he is unsure of their current stances.

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The abolition of supplementary investigation rights has been decided after comprehensive consideration, and the remaining task is to minimize problems during the legislative process.