Outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Monday that the ruling Democratic Party (DP) should “perfectly align and cooperate” with the government to support President Lee Jae Myung’s administration. Kim, widely expected to run for the party’s top leadership, made the remarks during a press meeting reviewing his one year in office.
Falling Approval Ratings Prompt Call for Unity
Kim noted that both President Lee’s and the DP’s approval ratings have declined since the June 3 local elections. Although the DP won a majority of races, it lost several key contests. “Now is the time when two things are necessary,” Kim said. “The party and the government should perfectly align and cooperate, and the party should back the president’s running of state affairs more than before the elections.”
Kim Poised for Party Leadership Bid
Kim, a close ally of President Lee, is expected to run for DP leader at the party’s national convention in August. He would succeed current leader Rep. Jung Chung-rae, a hard-liner who has faced criticism from pro-Lee members for prioritizing his own supporters over collaboration with the president. The rift between Lee and Jung supporters has intensified recently.
Accomplishments as Prime Minister
During the press meeting, Kim highlighted achievements from his tenure, including the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, the establishment of the Global AI Hub, and efforts to resolve social conflicts such as the trainee doctors’ strike. Kim, also a national legislator, said he would encourage the government to address ballot shortages during the local elections, with young voters leading discussions and the government playing a supportive role.
