Kim Minseok: "Han Deoksoo Should Offer a Sincere Apology, Not a Solemn Declaration of Candidacy"

Press Conference in Front of the Government Seoul Office on May 1
"Immediate Search and Seizure of the Prime Minister’s Office Needed"

Kim Minseok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged on May 1, "The prosecution and the National Election Commission must immediately conduct a search and seizure of the Prime Minister’s Office and begin an investigation into Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deoksoo."

At a press conference held in front of the Government Seoul Office that morning, Kim stated, "What Acting President Han should do today is not make a solemn declaration of candidacy, but kneel down and offer a sincere apology."

Kim pointed out, "Acting President Han Deoksoo, who has used the position of Prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s vehicle, the Prime Minister’s salary, and the Prime Minister’s activity funds provided by the people to engage in preliminary electioneering and campaign business, and even attempted to ruin tariff negotiations critical to the national interest and people's livelihoods, has finally revealed his greedy intentions and is said to be resigning to run for office."

Kim Minseok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference and a one-person protest against Acting President Han Deoksoo's hasty tariff negotiations in front of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on April 17, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun

He continued, "Using a public office to prepare for an election and mobilizing other public officials constitutes a violation of election law and abuse of authority by both himself and those involved," adding, "The stench of manipulative politics is overwhelming, as he even operated an election preparation situation room staffed by former National Intelligence Service officials."

He went on to say, "It appears that, under the pretense of a so-called 'big tent,' he has even been preparing an outdated 'Sakura Alliance,'" and added, "The end of greed will be destruction. I urge the prosecution and the Election Commission to immediately conduct a search and seizure of the Prime Minister’s Office and begin an investigation into Acting President Han."

Kim further emphasized, "The end of greed will be destruction," and criticized, "There are limits to opportunism, yet he dares to exploit the Prime Minister’s position. No wonder the clouds above the Government Complex are so heavily overcast today."

He also warned, "He will go down in history as the worst prime minister since Eulsa Lee Wanyong, remembered as 'Eulsameoktwi Han Deoksoo.'"