Kim Young-jin "If resignation is the end, the party leader should be elected once a month"

Opposition Lawmaker in SBS Radio Interview
"Lee's 'Infinite Responsibility' Is an Expression of Reflection and Regret"

Kim Young-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the controversy surrounding Lee Jae-myung's resignation calls following Innovation Committee Chair Lee Rae-gyeong's resignation on the 8th, saying, "If we judge all matters by resignation, shouldn't we be electing the party leader once a month?" He added, "How about viewing it as a kind of encouragement to do the work a little better?"

On the same day, Kim appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and said, "I believe it is a reflective self-examination and responsibility to humbly accept the public's evaluation and judgment, as well as the critical opinions of party members and lawmakers within the party, and then for the Innovation Committee Chair and the Innovation Committee they lead to create a proper innovation within the Democratic Party."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding Lee's statement on 'infinite responsibility,' Kim explained, "Since the Innovation Committee Chair was recommended and decided through discussion, and due to public perspectives and various internal party positions and circumstances, the resignation occurred, it means taking responsibility in hindsight."

Earlier, on the 7th, Lee said about the resignation of the Innovation Committee Chair he appointed after just nine hours, "As the party leader holds authority, whether internal discussions were sufficient or not, it is a matter that should be fully discussed," adding, "The party leader takes infinite responsibility for the outcome."

This statement by Lee sparked various interpretations in political circles about whether it implied an official apology, resignation of the party leader, or other decisions.

Kim interpreted, "It is right that the highest responsible person takes responsibility for political accountability and such matters," adding, "What to do after taking that responsibility is a separate matter that requires careful consideration to create new alternatives and a future."

He continued, "The statement about responsibility itself is a higher-level reflection and expression of regret rather than just an apology."

Kim added, "Since I am the party leader's political coordination chief, I support practical matters well, express reflection and regret, and it comprehensively implies a commitment to handle such issues more prudently and meticulously in the future."