Political Sphere Role Emphasis Continues
"Don't Drink Kimchi Soup First" Voices Caution Against Image Consumption
UK Study Abroad and US Election Observation, Germany Visit Scheduled
Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who is studying in the UK, will temporarily return to Korea. As the Democratic Party of Korea has consolidated under the single leadership of Representative Lee Jae-myung following the general election, there is growing political interest as Kim, regarded as the heir of the pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) and pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) factions, could serve as a kind of focal point opposing Lee's leadership. However, concerns have also been raised about the consumption of Kim's image amid discussions of his potential role, given that the basic conditions for resuming political activities, such as reinstatement of his political rights, have not yet been established. Kim is expected to proceed with overseas schedules again in June and fully return by the end of the year.
On the 18th, discussions about Kim's potential role have been emerging within the Democratic Party and the political sphere. Go Min-jung, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said in an MBC radio interview, "A politician can be called upon regardless of their own will," adding, "I always think that when the time comes to play a role, one must do so. There are many concerns about the overall politics and economy of South Korea." Regarding the issue of his disqualification from running for office, she said, "It must be in the president's heart, and since it is a special presidential authority, it is difficult to guess, but a pardon and reinstatement are necessary." However, she also mentioned that without reinstatement, "it would be difficult to do anything immediately."
Kim was sentenced to imprisonment by the Supreme Court in 2021 in connection with the ‘Druking comment manipulation’ case, resulting in the loss of his gubernatorial position. Although he received a special pardon at the end of 2022 shortly before the full term ended, his political rights have not been reinstated, leaving him currently unable to run in the general election, local elections, or presidential election.
Park Ji-won, a Democratic Party member-elect, also said in an SBS radio interview, "It is true that Kim is a leader with the qualities to be a focal point for the pro-Moon faction," adding, "Kim has been pardoned, but his political rights have not been reinstated. He must be reinstated to resume political activities and determine his eligibility to run in any election." He continued, "He should be reinstated," and expressed confidence, "I believe he will be."
However, concerns have been raised about the premature ‘consumption’ of Kim’s image as a rival to Representative Lee, even though reinstatement and related issues have not yet surfaced. Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "I think it is wrong to count your chickens before they hatch. His political rights have not yet been reinstated, and the conditions for resuming politics have not been established," adding, "The idea of him being a focal point for the pro-Moon faction is an excessive expression of imagination."
Although interest in Kim has increased, after his return, he is expected to spend time with family and acquaintances without any public schedule except for attending the 15th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun on the 23rd.
According to a source close to Kim, "Kim will stay in the country and has no public schedule other than the memorial service," adding, "He plans to visit his hometown to see his mother and meet people who worked with him during his time as Gyeongnam governor." Kim, who has temporarily returned this time, is expected to leave for overseas again in June and return by the end of the year. As a visiting professor at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK, Kim plans to travel to the United States to observe the US presidential election once his schedule is settled. Afterwards, he will visit Germany upon invitation from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation before returning to Korea.
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