[Interview] Kim Min-seok "I Don't Completely Understand Han Dong-hoon... But Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law Must Be Taken Seriously"

Interview with Kim Min-seok, Senior Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party
"President Yoon's perception of the emergency room is like an astronaut"
"Unable to predict political situation... must have basic preparations for one year"

The Democratic Party's August 18th party convention ended anticlimactically with a landslide victory for leader Lee Jae-myung, but the Supreme Council member election unfolded like a drama. The protagonist was Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok, who was in fourth place early in the race but gained the support of party members in the middle stages and overtook to first place.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 3rd, Supreme Council member Kim explained his emphasis on "preparing for power within one year" by saying, "Because the political environment and schedule are unpredictable (不可測), we must be prepared for any situation." Regarding the mention of 'impeachment' in political circles, he said, "There must be internal strife within the People Power Party," and added, "For now, we need to have a power plan that represents the people's voice and ensures that even if political change comes, there is no need to worry."

Kim also said that the Democratic Party's proposal of the Chae Sang-byeong special investigation law, which includes a third-party recommendation plan, was "because Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, failed to reach an internal consensus, so we proposed it on their behalf," adding, "He (Leader Han) should take responsibility." He said, "It's not that I don't understand his situation, but he should have a sense of responsibility." Regarding the conflict in the legislature, he emphasized, "(President Yoon Seok-youl) has a perception like an astronaut," and said, "The current approach must change."

Kim Min-seok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Below is a Q&A.

Is there any basis for the Democratic Party's claim about the 'martial law preparation theory'?

There are various circumstantial evidences, and specifically, there is information that warrants concern, so we are issuing a comprehensive warning. Recently, the president has frequently used the term 'anti-state forces,' which is not even a legal term, in a way that can encompass all government critics, which is very sinister. Within the core of the regime, there are people who believe that if they lose power, they could go to prison. This includes the president's wife. In past martial law preparation documents, there were plans to neutralize lawmakers' demands for lifting martial law.

In fact, our country's 'on-the-spot arrest clause' is ambiguous. People say the 'Park Geun-hye martial law theory' was all acquitted, but that is not true. The charges of rebellion were dismissed because they were not realized. The documents were acknowledged, and those who concealed them were found guilty. Recently, suddenly replacing military-related personnel with close loyalists is also suspicious, and there are many such circumstantial signs. At the Ministry of National Defense ministerial confirmation hearing on the 2nd, the candidate was questioned about gathering three commanders related to the Seoul metropolitan area during his time as head of the security office, to which he replied, 'I do not agree.' Such a meeting should not have taken place. This is not baseless talk. What benefit would we have from this (martial law preparation theory)? Our biggest concern is how to actually and definitively prevent this from happening.

There is great public concern about the conflict between the medical community and the government. Is there a solution?

Currently, there is none. The president seems to have a perception almost like an astronaut. When the president says things like, 'What's the problem if the emergency room is running well?' the public reacts with shock. The president confidently speaks with a perception detached from reality, which is truly frustrating. The Democratic Party and Leader Lee have suggested that it might be acceptable to relax the '2,000' quota somewhat, but the president shut it down completely, so the frustrating situation continues. The Democratic Party sent a message of support, saying that even if we do not fully agree with Leader Han's proposal (to postpone the increase until 2026), we should help resolve this issue.

Since the president has completely closed his ears, we tried to find cooperation so that the ruling and opposition parties could work together. Specifically discussing alternatives like 'how many people' is not very meaningful. The biggest problem is that the current approach must change. Due to these recent events, not only emergency rooms but also Korea's medical system, which has been quite good globally, could face difficulties. To prevent that, it is unreasonable for the medical community to insist on absolutely no increase in personnel as they initially stated. We need to find relatively feasible parts and try to resolve the issue.

Could a summit meeting between the president and Leader Lee be a solution?

I did not have high expectations for a meeting between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties. Since the ruling party leader has little power, a summit meeting is appropriate. However, since the president did not attend the opening ceremony and did not go to the People Power Party retreat, it is hard to expect much. The people are pitiful. These days, everyone is anxious, wondering what will happen if someone gets sick and faces a dangerous situation.

Kim Min-seok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

It seems that discussions about presidential impeachment are openly emerging.

For impeachment to happen, the voice of the people must grow louder. Two hundred lawmakers are also needed, and there must be internal strife within the People Power Party. Leader Han is not in a position to bring this about. Therefore, for now, from the people's perspective, I emphasize that we must have a power plan that represents the people's voice and ensures that even if political change comes, there is no need to worry.

You mentioned switching to a power mode within one year.

First, the party must become stronger. The core is the party members. We must strengthen education and training for party members. The first priority is to educate party members and talents so they can work, promote, and campaign despite difficult circumstances. Second, we must strengthen policies to become a policy-oriented party. Furthermore, we should attempt to form policy agreements to connect with various sectors of society. Above all, we must secure a talent pool. To govern, we need to secure more aces in each field. We will make efforts to recruit and also discover talents within the party members. The Talent Committee will focus on this, and I am also considering participating.

Emphasizing within one year has multiple meanings. Speed is very important now. If we diligently complete all basic preparations within one year, this party can achieve results. On the other hand, since the political environment and schedule are so unpredictable (不可測), we must be prepared for any situation.

What is the relationship with the National Innovation Party?

In the last general election, we had a mixed candidacy (district seats for the Democratic Party and proportional representation for the National Innovation Party), so broadly speaking, we are part of the opposition coalition and should maintain good relations. I understand they are not necessarily intent on fielding a presidential candidate, so we should cooperate well.

Kim Min-seok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The prosecution's investigation net is tightening around former President Moon Jae-in.

From the general public's perspective, isn't this excessive? The current president's wife is left alone, but the former president's ex-son-in-law receiving a salary is being called a bribe. I wonder if people can understand or be persuaded by this. The party has decided to form a related organization, and so-called pro-Lee lawmakers will participate. It is perceived as inappropriate and possibly a political maneuver. There is no difference in stance within the party depending on factions regarding this issue.

You have agreed to continue meeting through meetings between Leader Han and opposition leaders. What needs to change for results?

Leader Han's influence and discretion are too limited, making it difficult. Results must come, but to get results, you need power. Otherwise, nothing happens. Still, we cannot give up. I think it is necessary for Leader Han to establish his position in that party. To achieve any results with the ruling party, the ruling party leader must at least have basic power or minimum determination, but since that is lacking...

The Democratic Party proposed the Chae Sang-byeong special investigation law, including the third-party recommendation plan suggested by Leader Han.

Leader Han failed to do so, so we proposed it instead, but he should take responsibility for that. I understand his situation, but it is frustrating.

There are rumors that the trial results will come out in October, raising concerns about Leader Lee's crisis.

I am not very worried. I believe there is almost no possibility of major problems related to witnesses or legal reasoning during the trial process.

At the 2022 party convention, you were critical of Leader Lee, but since then you have shown a close relationship. How is your relationship with Leader Lee?

Originally, my relationship with Leader Lee was not bad. From the beginning of our acquaintance, the relationship was good. However, I was critical regarding the last local elections. I thought the leadership should take responsibility. Despite that criticism, Leader Lee extended a hand to work together. I served as the chair of the Policy Committee and worked together, and during the general election, I was even the situation room chief. We share similar views on party member sovereignty and recent trends, and our compatibility is relatively good. We also have similar perspectives on the spirit of the times. We work well together.

Looking only at the next presidential election, Leader Lee seems to be the only candidate in the Democratic Party. Shouldn't there be a pacemaker?

It would be good if there were a pacemaker. But in reality, looking at the party and supporter trends, it is an undeniable truth that Leader Lee is overwhelming. Supporters want to see Leader Lee become president. How can this be artificially changed? Although it is called a single-pole system, because the Yoon Seok-youl government is a mess, the desire for an alternative is strong. Thanks to President Yoon, there is a desire within the party for strong and stable leadership.