New Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok Pledges 'Wall-less One Team' Approach

Kim Min-seok, the newly elected leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, marked his first day in office by stressing the importance of a "wall-less one team" approach, pledging close communication and collaboration with the presidential office. He met with Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, and Hong Ik-pyo, the senior political secretary, expressing a sense of returning home and anticipating a unified effort.

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I felt like I was returning home when I came back to the party, and I feel like I'm home again meeting Chief of Staff Kang and Secretary Hong. I feel a sense of familiarity and responsibility that completion and communication will be achieved as a truly wall-less one team.

Kim's initial actions included a visit to flood-stricken areas in Geoje, where he was visibly struck by the devastation. He described scenes of unexpected landslides in areas considered safe for decades, attributing such events to recent climate changes causing extreme rainfall. He urged the government to prioritize swift compensation for victims and provide delicate support to address psychological trauma.

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I was surprised, surprised to the point of disbelief, by the unimaginable scene at the submerged apartment site in Geoje. Landslides occurred in an area that had no safety issues for over 30 years.

Detailing the party's future direction, Kim introduced the 'CABS' plan, an evolution of the previous 'ABC Plan.' This new framework incorporates 'Security' alongside Affordability, Broadening policies, and Competence. He likened the party's role to a "people's taxi" that operates swiftly from dawn, emphasizing its commitment to supporting the government's national agenda while actively gathering and conveying the voices of the public from the grassroots to the presidential office.

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How can we quickly compensate the victims and provide delicate support to prevent psychological trauma, and I hope the government does its best and the party does its best.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik conveyed President Yoon Suk Yeol's congratulations and echoed Kim's call for party-government cooperation, noting the significance of the chief of staff personally delivering the congratulatory flowers. Kang acknowledged the competitive spirit of the recent party convention and expressed confidence that Kim would lead the Democratic Party to become a more unified force. He also stressed the public's expectation for tangible improvements in their lives and urged joint efforts between the party and government to create new growth engines for South Korea.

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The role of the party and the government running as one team is very important, which is why the chief of staff, not the senior political secretary, is here to deliver congratulatory flowers.