Former PM Kim Min-seok's Return Ignites Democratic Party Leadership Race

Tensions have risen within the Democratic Party as former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok dives into the party leadership race immediately upon his return to the political forefront. His comeback signals that the Democratic Party has entered a competitive phase for selecting its next leader.

In an interview with MBC radio, Rep. Kim Young-joo stated, "It would be better for the Democratic Party to develop presidential candidates by having diverse individuals serve as party leader, broadening its base and nurturing them into potential presidential contenders, rather than having one person serve multiple terms or monopolize the position." Rep. Kim emphasized that his remarks were a matter of general principle, unrelated to supporting Kim Min-seok, and added that Kim is running based on his personal vision to "lead the party more properly" as the party leader with a one-year term, and that party members will evaluate him.

Ahead of the Democratic Party's next leadership election, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited the SK Hynix semiconductor plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, for his first regional event. Meanwhile, former Rep. Chung Jin-hyeong is expanding his reach with consecutive visits to the Honam region, and Rep. Song Young-gil is also focusing on broadening his base for the party leadership contest. Former Rep. Chung Jin-hyeong visited the May Mothers' House in Gwangju, vowing to accelerate efforts to include the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising in the preamble of the constitution.