Kim Min-seok "Judicial Surveillance Must Be Addressed by the National Assembly... A Matter of Dignity and Authority"

Seoul Mayor Election Planning Director: "City Status is Essential... Focusing Only on MeToo and Real Estate Risks Falling into Representation"

Chairman Kim Min-seok of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee. / Photo by Dong-joo Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] "If Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is disciplined, the issue of judicial surveillance must be addressed by the National Assembly in some form. This is a matter of the National Assembly's dignity and authority."

On the 2nd, Kim Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in an interview with Asia Economy, "Regardless of political advantages or disadvantages, since this is a constitutional issue, it is natural for the National Assembly to handle it." Regarding the impeachment of the Prosecutor General proposed by some within the Democratic Party, he said, "We must carefully consider the fact that the public is uncomfortable with the conflict situation."

Returning to the National Assembly after 18 years, he is actively engaged as the chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, head of the Democratic Party's The K Seoul Mayoral Election Planning Group, and head of the Social New Deal division, voicing opinions on current issues. Kim said, "I see this as a historical process and growing pains. Even with a reformist trend, there can be fluctuations and trial and error." He added, "Prosecutor General Yoon said upon his return that he would 'uphold the constitutional spirit,' but whether judicial surveillance aligns with the constitutional spirit, and if the Prosecutor General and the entire prosecution have done everything without shame, they should continue to do so. However, public opinion mostly disagrees."

Kim, a former president of the Seoul National University student council, was the youngest elected member in the 15th general election and was re-elected in the 16th. In 2002, at the age of only 38, he ran for Seoul mayor under the then Millennium Democratic Party but lost and left politics. Now, he is leading the Seoul mayoral by-election campaign. He emphasized that the election cannot be defined solely by 'Me Too' or real estate issues.

Kim said, "Every election has a spirit of the times, and this time it is 'post-COVID-19.'" He stressed, "The essence is whether Seoul can be upgraded to a different class, a kind of 'city status' is required. Politically focusing only on Me Too or real estate risks falling into mere symbolism."

He continued, "Having been born and raised in Seoul and having run for mayor, I can say Seoul elections are characterized by high self-esteem and being demanding. To win hearts, you must present a comprehensive and dignified blueprint in all areas." He added, "Talking only about real estate is difficult, and this is both my conviction and pride as a Seoul citizen."

He clarified that this does not mean neglecting real estate. Kim said, "I empathize with various real estate demands and believe in appropriate regulation and supply." He mentioned, "I understand that the late Mayor Park Won-soon deeply considered housing supply in the city center until the end, and that research and policy efforts have accumulated." The Democratic Party pursues urban regeneration as a main policy and promotes public redevelopment methods.

As livelihood measures for the Seoul mayoral election, he cited waste management, parking, and childcare. He aims to propose solutions to everyday issues faced by citizens. He is also refining regional development strategies for balanced development within Seoul. Kim said, "Balanced development has already been organized through prior work at the Seoul city level," adding, "Mega issues such as railway undergrounding and changes along the Han River promoted by Seoul City will be presented sequentially."

Regarding primary election rules such as additional points for women, he said, "Since the current primary system has been stable for a long time, there is a strong tendency within the party not to change it much," and "Newcomers are relatively given higher additional points anyway." On calls for female candidates, he said, "Public sentiment will naturally be reflected," and added, "There may be women with outdated worldviews, and men with a correct and stable understanding of femininity should not be discriminated against."

He stated that all currently mentioned figures are assets of the Democratic Party. Regarding Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun, Kim said, "She has excellent ability to read the times, articulate discourse, and present detailed policies. As for Representative Woo Sang-ho, there is hardly any need to explain."

About Representative Park Ju-min, he said, "A few years ago, I told him it might be good to dream of becoming Seoul mayor," adding, "He has public support, policy ideas, and youth." He also mentioned, "Former Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee, though a public official, was elected as a representative from Gangnam and has considerable resources and stories," and about Representative Park Yong-jin, "His clear stance makes it good for both the party and himself to run in a major election."

As chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, Kim is focusing on a new welfare system. He emphasized the need to address non-regular workers, self-employed, and civilizational unemployment caused by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which are difficult to cover with the existing system focused on large company wage workers.

Kim said, "From lifelong scholarships I advocate to sickness benefits and strengthening basic pensions, to things previously unconsidered like childbirth allowances and housewife allowances, many new ideas will emerge," adding, "The next presidential election will be an important time for discussion and review."

He said that just as the 1990s slogan was "Industrialization was late, but let's lead informatization," now is the time for the slogan "The welfare state is late, but let's lead new welfare." One of the immediate tasks is employment insurance. Kim said, "There is a difficulty with the concept of employment," and asked what to do in cases that are not employment, noting that there is strong consensus within the party on income-based measures.