New Democratic Party Leader Vows to Transform Party

Kim Min-seok has been elected as the new leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, signaling a commitment to significant internal reform. In his acceptance speech following the party's third national convention, Kim declared his intention to "change the Democratic Party," promising evolution in its language, policies, attitude, and culture.

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I will change the Democratic Party. Language, policy, attitude, and culture will evolve.

His reform agenda, dubbed the 'ABC Plan,' centers on three key pillars: 'Affordability' (focusing on livelihood and cost-of-living politics), 'Broadness' (emphasizing inclusive and expansive politics), and 'Competency' (prioritizing effective, livelihood-centered governance). This framework aims to reshape the party's approach to pressing national issues.

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The party-presidency relationship will be a horizontal relationship of full cooperation that supports the President and the government at the center of state affairs.

Addressing the party's relationship with the current administration, Kim Min-seok stated that the party would adopt a "creative, horizontal relationship of full cooperation" to support the President and the government, positioning them as central to national governance. He explicitly committed to working towards the success of President Lee Jae-myung and his administration, framing this as essential for the success of the Korean people.

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I will run for the success of President Lee Jae-myung and the People's Sovereignty Government, because their success is the people's success.

Kim acknowledged the challenging domestic and international circumstances facing the party, anticipating further difficulties. However, he expressed confidence in his ability, alongside fellow party members and the new leadership, to overcome these obstacles through "decades of accumulated patience and a little wisdom." He also extended an olive branch to his former rivals, Chung Sye-kyun and Song Young-gil, stating his intention to "open the stage wide and work together" with them.

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We will overcome the greater storms of internal and external strife with the patience and wisdom accumulated over decades, together with our comrades and the new leadership.