Kim Min-seok: "Whether Han Deok-su is approved or rejected, any choice is a consideration for the Yoon administration"

"Hope to avoid failure, may not approve disqualification"
"Still, approval might be given to start"
President's traffic control alternative questioned by Kim Dae-gi "If no apology, demand dismissal"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Min-seok, Co-General Director of the Democratic Party of Korea’s Integrated Election Countermeasures Headquarters, stated on the 18th regarding Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, and his remarks about traffic control during President Yoon Seok-yeol’s commute, "If he does not formally apologize to the public, I will demand his dismissal." Regarding the nomination consent bill for Prime Minister candidate Han Deok-su, he argued that whether approved or rejected, it is a choice for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Kim made these remarks at a press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, referring to Kim Dae-gi’s comments during the full meeting of the National Assembly’s Steering Committee the previous day. He said, "This is the first time the nominee appears before the public in the National Assembly after appointment, yet Kim Dae-gi made such arrogant and anti-intellectual remarks treating the public like tyrants. I demand a formal apology from Kim Dae-gi," adding, "If he does not promptly issue a formal apology, I will demand his dismissal."

The day before, Kim Dae-gi responded to criticisms about citizens’ inconvenience during President Yoon’s commute between his residence in Seocho-gu and the Yongsan Presidential Office by saying, "In any country, there will be such inconveniences when the president moves," and asked, "Is there any alternative?"

In response, Kim Min-seok criticized, "The alternative should come from the Presidential Office, so why ask the public? Does he think the public are dogs and pigs?" He further condemned, "Since Kim Dae-gi is an economic bureaucrat, I thought he was a Kim Jeong-ryeom model, but it turns out he was Cha Ji-cheol in bureaucrat’s clothing."

Regarding Yoon Jae-soon, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, Kim said, "Love shots should be done after quitting, and kisses are for when you’re angry?" Yoon had caused controversy the previous day at the Steering Committee by explaining a past sexual misconduct incident, saying, "I was hit with a birthday punch and angrily said to a female employee, ‘Give me a kiss.’"

About candidate Han Deok-su, Kim said, "He is already deemed unqualified, and the public has judged so as well," adding, "The remaining options are either to reject because he is unqualified or to approve despite his unqualification." He said, "Whatever choice the Democratic Party makes, it is a consideration for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and continued, "If they want to avoid failure, they will reject him, but since there is no one else, they might approve despite his unqualification to get things started."

He criticized Han Deok-su, saying, "Han Deok-su during the democratic government era and Han Deok-su now are different. Back then, he had some capability and public service ethics, but now his ability is insufficient and his public service ethics are too unhealthy to become the prime minister, the top public official."

Regarding candidate Jung Ho-young for Minister of Health and Welfare, he said, "Whether he is appointed or not is up to them." Kim added, "From the public’s perspective, Jung is out," and said, "They have already appointed Han Dong-hoon as Minister of Justice, and if they do not appoint Jung, it seems like the Democratic Party is planning to force the approval of Prime Minister candidate Han Deok-su through audits, but don’t be mistaken. Jung is not a choice; it is already a settled matter."