Kim Kyung-soo: "Lee Jae-myung's Centrist and Conservative Theory Means Embracing More Broadly"

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo defended Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's setting of the party identity as 'centrist-conservative', saying, "I see it as an intention to become a people's party that embraces a broader range of citizens through the impeachment and presidential election process."

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and former Governor of Gyeongnam Kim Kyung-soo shake hands at the National Assembly on February 13, 2025. 2025.2.13 Photo by Joint Press Corps, Yonhap News Agency

On the 23rd, during a visit to Shinan, Jeonnam, the hometown of former President Kim Dae-jung, Kim said in response to reporters' questions asking for his evaluation of Lee's centrist-conservative remarks, "After hearing Lee's explanation, he said it meant to embrace even those people in the centrist and conservative groups while the People Power Party has moved to the far right."

He explained, "Our Democratic Party has always valued progressive values that protect the socially vulnerable and help create a warmer society. On that foundation, we have established ourselves as a democratic reform party that embraces centrists, conservatives, and rational conservatives, and we still firmly hold that identity of the Democratic Party."

He added, "(Lee explained that) his remarks do not deviate from the progressive values stated in the Democratic Party's platform, policies, or manifesto."

When asked about the Democratic Party's winning strategy for the early presidential election, he replied, "The winning strategy is integration and coalition," adding, "We must unify the Democratic Party and further unite the entire opposition and the democratic forces that supported impeachment."

However, regarding his own presidential candidacy, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "If it helps regime change, not only myself but anyone should join forces and take on the roles assigned. But right now, we should focus on overcoming impeachment and internal strife."

On constitutional amendment, he asserted, "If constitutional amendment is discussed after impeachment, the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising must be enshrined in the preamble of the constitution."

Meanwhile, Kim will visit Honam for a 2-night, 3-day trip from the 23rd to the 25th. On the 24th, he will pay respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and meet Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung. He will then visit Archbishop Simon Ok Hyun-jin of Gwangju Catholic Archdiocese and meet representatives of the bereaved families of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster.