Kim Kyung-soo: "We Must Stop Shouting at Each Other... Presidential Victory Completes Impeachment"

"The Party's Strength Lies in the Power of Integration Demonstrated Through Inclusiveness"

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo emphasized the integration of the Democratic Party of Korea as a prerequisite for regime change, stating, "We must become one big entity to win."

Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province. Yonhap News

On the 1st, Kim posted on Facebook an article titled "Only Winning the Presidential Election Completes the Impeachment." Kim said, "We must stop shouting at each other, apologize, extend our hands, and become one big entity to win," adding, "Only when we show concrete actions and practices will the first step toward winning the presidential election truly begin."

He stated, "The party's strength in the past was the power of integration demonstrated through diversity and inclusiveness, which is the party's proud tradition," and added, "I appealed for the path of unity and asked to go the path of victory. The earnest advice from others who care about the party is likely in the same spirit." He also pointed out, "Responding with the language of swords and dealing with ridicule is not the way to become one big entity and win," emphasizing, "As long as we cannot overcome this, we cannot overwhelm them."

Kim continued, "In the three processes of ruling, the party barely won by gathering all possible forces and powers that could work together, not to mention within the party," and explained, "Punishing the internal rebellion forces does not end with the Constitutional Court's ruling. Only winning the presidential election completes the impeachment; the goal is no different."

On the 29th of last month, Kim urged Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "If the principles of integration and inclusion are first realized within the party, that will be the first step toward becoming one big entity and winning." He also demanded an apology from Lee and the pro-Lee faction, pointing out insults and disparaging remarks against former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in during the last general election. In response, some pro-Lee figures, including Kim Jun-hyuk and Choi Min-hee, accused Kim of "pro-Moon faction members inciting intra-party conflicts."

Meanwhile, Kim, who was sentenced to two years in prison for the Druking comment manipulation case, was pardoned and released at the end of 2023 with about five months remaining on his sentence. He was reinstated with the right to run for office on Liberation Day last year. It is reported that Kim’s side plans to form a presidential campaign team as early as next month.