Kim Min-seok: "Song Young-gil, It's Been a Short Time Since Resigning as Leader, Should Apologize to the Public for Running"

'86 Yongtoeron' Clashes with Reform Theory
"Leadership Must Strategically Review Candidacy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Kim Min-seok, a three-term member of the '86 Group' from the Democratic Party of Korea, has openly criticized former leader Song Young-gil's bid for Seoul mayor.

On the morning of the 4th, Kim held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly and said, "It is necessary to provide a public explanation and apology for Song Young-gil's self-nomination as a candidate in a major election shortly after resigning from the party leadership, taking responsibility for the presidential election."

He continued, "A public explanation and understanding are needed regarding the '86 retirement theory' that was triggered by leading the promise to prohibit four consecutive terms in the same constituency and declaring non-participation in the next general election," adding, "Song's promise has already led to the declarations of non-candidacy by Woo Sang-ho and Kim Young-choon, and it will influence the career paths of many lawmakers, party decisions, and the people's choice in the next general election."

This means that while the 86 Group stepped down or chose not to run as part of reform efforts, Song's intention to run for Seoul mayor does not align with that purpose.

He also stated, "An apology is needed for disparaging other prominent party figures by saying things like 'If someone else had competitiveness, why would the party mention me?'" and pointed out, "The competitiveness of those mentioned is not inferior to Song's, and neither the Seoul lawmakers and party members unanimously endorsing Song as the sole alternative nor candidate Lee Jae-myung's endorsement is true."

He said, "The leadership should start responsible strategic review and execution considering all human resources, including party figures such as Lee Nak-yeon, Chung Sye-kyun, Chu Mi-ae, Park Yong-jin?who were presidential candidates from Seoul constituencies?former candidate Park Young-sun, former Seoul Deputy Mayor Lim Jong-seok, former top committee members from Seoul Park Joo-min and Kang Byung-won, Song Young-gil who recently changed his residence, Woo Sang-ho who took responsibility for the presidential election and declared non-candidacy, as well as innovative and fresh non-party figures like Kim Hyun-jong who meet the expectations of Seoul citizens."

After the press conference, Kim told reporters, "It is not a situation where the entire party's strength must be put behind former leader Song as the 'one card' candidate," adding, "New faces that fit the times can certainly emerge. There is a perception that there is only one candidate, but that is not the case."

He emphasized, "This is a proposal as an individual lawmaker," and noted, "There is a significant consensus and diagnosis of the situation among Seoul area lawmakers." It was reported that about 20 lawmakers from Seoul, including Kim, gathered at the National Assembly on the 31st of last month to express opposition to the 'Song Young-gil draft theory.'"