"Master of Opinion Manipulation Returns to Public Office, a Humiliation"
"Kim Kyungsoo's Appointment... An Insult to the People," Strong Criticism
On June 30, Ahn Cheolsoo, a member of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jaemyung's appointment of Kim Kyungsoo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, as the head of the Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy. Ahn remarked, "It seems that ex-convicts stick together like a 'love bug'." On his social media account that day, Ahn began by stating, "Kim Kyungsoo, who has a criminal record for manipulating public opinion, has been appointed as the minister-level head of the Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy." He went on to say, "It is an insult to the people that someone who served a prison sentence for deceiving the public has returned to public office," and added, "The reality that a master of public opinion manipulation is once again taking the path of public service is both devastating and humiliating." He further commented, "His appointment is nothing more than an 'image makeover' for a future run for Minister of the Interior and Safety or for the next local elections."
Ahn also stated, "It's not just Kim Kyungsoo. The appointments made by the Lee Jaemyung administration, including the Prime Minister, are truly unprecedented," adding, "The saying 'like president, like aides' has never felt more appropriate than it does now." These remarks refer to the fact that Kim was implicated in the so-called "Druking Comment Manipulation Case" in 2021, resulting in a two-year prison sentence upheld by the Supreme Court, which led to his removal from office. Kim was released through a special pardon in December 2022 and had his political rights restored through another special pardon on August 15, 2023, Liberation Day.
Meanwhile, Kim, who is considered a figure aligned with the pro-Roh Moo-hyun and pro-Moon Jae-in factions, resumed his political activities after his reinstatement, including running in the Democratic Party's presidential primary. With President Lee's appointment, Kim is returning to public office after about four years. Some observers interpret this as President Lee demonstrating "inclusive appointments" by bringing in a former rival from the party's primary, while others criticize the move, arguing that it provides Kim, who had been distanced from politics, with a new political stage ahead of next year's local elections.
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