"The Prime Minister's Office Is Not a Place to Repay Personal Debts"
"Controversies Over Kim's Morality Hinder National Unity"
Urges People Power Party Members to Support Party Innovation
Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party (center), is speaking at the discussion on "Public Sentiment and Innovation Plans for the People Power Party after the Presidential Election Defeat" on the 19th. On the 20th, Chairman Kim urged President Lee Jae-myung to withdraw the nomination of Prime Minister candidate Kim Minseok amid various allegations. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, urged President Lee Jaemyung to withdraw the nomination of Prime Minister candidate Kim Minseok on June 20, amid various allegations against Kim. He stated, "It seems that President Lee, being in Yongsan, is unable to fully grasp the concerns of the public."
After visiting the Korean Bar Association in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the same day, Chairman Kim told reporters, "If the President sympathizes with the public's concerns, the right thing to do would be to withdraw the nomination as soon as possible."
He continued, "I suspect that President Lee nominated Kim because he feels indebted to him, as Kim has helped with judicial control and political shielding on several occasions. However, the position of Prime Minister is not a place to repay personal debts."
Kim also strongly criticized the moral controversies raised during the confirmation hearing process. He said, "Kim Minseok has failed to provide proper answers to the issues raised by several confirmation committee members. It is the natural duty of the opposition to point out moral suspicions, and dismissing this as mere obstruction is outdated politics."
He further pointed out, "The moral controversies surrounding Kim Minseok are factors that hinder national unity, and he has not demonstrated any proven crisis management abilities."
Kim also commented on party innovation, saying, "Both the Emergency Response Committee Chairman and the newly elected floor leader are strongly committed to innovation. I once again earnestly request everyone to join in our efforts to reflect on the presidential election defeat and contribute to change and innovation."
Regarding Representative Cho Jeonghun's remarks in a media interview that day, suggesting that Kim should take on the role of Innovation Committee Chairman with full authority, Kim expressed displeasure. Representative Cho said, "If Kim Yongtae serves as Innovation Committee Chairman during the party convention, traveling nationwide to listen to party members and supporters, and then strongly recommends ideas to the new Emergency Response Committee, it would further highlight Kim's reformist image and benefit our party."
Kim responded, "I feel this is testing the limits of my patience. As I am already presenting various innovation plans as Emergency Response Committee Chairman, recommending me for the Innovation Committee Chairman role is not logical," he said, dismissing the suggestion.
Regarding whether he will run in the party convention, Kim emphasized, "Whether I run or not is not the important issue. The timing has not been decided. What matters is our determination to regain the public's trust, reflect on ourselves, and continue innovation."
On the same day, Kim met with Kim Jungwook, President of the Korean Bar Association, and conveyed his concerns, saying, "The Lee Jaemyung administration is pushing many initiatives under the pretext of judicial reform, but from our perspective, it is judicial control."
Meanwhile, at a personnel hearing strategy meeting held at the National Assembly the previous morning, Chairman Kim also urged President Lee Jaemyung to withdraw the nomination of Kim Minseok, stating, "Kim Minseok is already acting as Prime Minister even before the confirmation hearing has begun."
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