Kang Gijeong: "Kim Minseok Is an Essential Prime Minister Candidate... Prosecution Investigation Is Political Interference"

"18 Years of Absence, a Period of Self-Discipline"
Also Recognized as a Key Contributor to the Success of the Lee Jaemyung Administration

Prime Minister nominee Minseok Kim is delivering opening remarks at the "Listening Forum for Establishing an AI Transformation (AX) Research Hub" held on the 20th at the Daegu Digital Innovation Promotion Agency in Suseong-gu, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong described Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok as "an indispensable candidate for Prime Minister in South Korea," while criticizing the prosecution's investigation as "Yoon Suk-yeol-style political interference."

On June 22, Mayor Kang wrote on his Facebook page, "The prosecution's investigation into nominee Kim Minseok is clearly Yoon Suk-yeol-style political interference," adding, "The prosecution will not change on its own. This is the reason for prosecution reform."

He continued, "Even I, who consider myself to know nominee Kim Minseok fairly well, see him in a new light after hearing that, during his busy days as a Supreme Council member, he managed to earn a degree by splitting his time, staying in a 30,000-won-per-day room, and traveling back and forth to China."

A letter requesting support for the integrated relocation of Gwangju civilian and military airports last October, with Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong (right) and Senior Supreme Council Member Kim Minseok. Provided by Gwangju City

Mayor Kang, recalling their shared experiences participating in the democratization movement during their university days and serving together in the National Assembly, emphasized, "Everyone faces moments of crisis and pain, but overcoming them is a matter of one's own ability and determination."

He went on to say, "He turned 18 years of political absence into a period of self-development, and ultimately returned as a key contributor to the birth of the Lee Jaemyung administration. I am convinced that he is exactly the kind of Prime Minister South Korea needs now, at a time when we must overcome crises." He added, "He has staked his life on the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and he is someone who always gets things done."