Kim Min-seok Gains Swift Political Influence with Aggressive Rhetoric

Kim Min-seok, the newly elected Democratic Party leader, is expanding his political influence by drawing issues toward himself through aggressive remarks made immediately upon taking office.

According to political circles on the 20th, following Kim's mention of resignation and impeachment possibilities regarding Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's appointment as a Supreme Court justice, major politicians from both ruling and opposition parties have responded in succession, with political attention focused on Kim shortly after his inauguration.

On the 19th, at a field highest-level meeting held at the Busan party chapter, Kim said of Chief Justice Cho, “I believe Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, whom I consider the worst Supreme Court chief since liberation, should step down.”

Kim's aggressive remarks have continued. He characterized Chief Justice Cho's Supreme Court justice appointment as ‘judicial manipulation’ and stated he cannot be called a chief justice, referring to him instead as “director of judicial technology,” and compared Chief Justice Cho to “a delinquent student who breaks a window, then begs to be expelled and promises not to study anymore.”

Compared to Kim's rhetoric during the party convention, where he emphasized internal unity and external expansion, such strong language is exceptional.

Kim's remarks immediately drew reactions from the political sphere. By elevating the Supreme Court justice appointment controversy into a political issue, key figures from both ruling and opposition parties began responding to Kim's statements in unison.

From the ruling camp, Rep. Kim Young-jin (3-term, Democratic Party, Suwon District B), known as an ‘original pro-Moon’ figure but having shown caution on political issues, came forward first to lend support.

On the 20th, Rep. Kim said on SBS Radio regarding Chief Justice Cho, “End as you begin; judgment and responsibility come first.”

On impeachment, he drew a line by saying nothing formal is currently underway, but expressed the position that Chief Justice Cho must himself decide on withdrawal of the appointment and his own fate.

With a senior party member also publicly raising the same issue, the political radius of Kim's agenda has expanded and his political influence is growing.

From the opposition, key candidates responded immediately. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok (2-term, Boryeong-Seocheon) and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hun (first-term, Busan Buk-gu) directly targeted Kim, jumping into the political front Kim created.

In particular, Jang's offensive extended to President Lee Jae-myung, but its starting point was Kim.

At the highest-level meeting on the 20th, Jang said, “Rep. Kim's first words as leader were about impeaching the chief justice,” and if Kim's remarks reflect the president's intentions, “then President Lee Jae-myung's grounds for impeachment are clearly established.”

It was a harsh offensive targeting the president, but the immediate opponent was Kim. As the opposition escalated attacks on the president, Kim became an intermediary, creating a structure in which Kim instead occupies the center of ruling and opposition confrontation.

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hun also directly targeted Kim rather than the president.

Han mirrored Kim's reference to Chief Justice Cho as ‘Mr. Cho’ and said, “It seems Rep. Kim Min-seok thinks he's become a king now that he's Democratic Party leader,” adding, “Mr. Kim Min-seok, come to your senses. Korea is a democratic republic with separation of powers.”

As a result, with ruling party veterans supporting Kim's strong remarks and opposition candidates directly counterattacking, Kim now occupies the center of political conflict shortly after taking office. While the opposition's ultimate target remains the president, as the offensive passes through Kim, political attention is instead focused on the newly appointed ruling party leader.

Rather than responding to political issues, Kim has made the political sphere respond to the issues he raises, quickly securing political initiative.

A political insider said, “Through a series of aggressive remarks shortly after taking office, Rep. Kim has made not only ruling party veterans but also key opposition figures like Jang Dong-hyeok and Han Dong-hun respond by centering on him,” and “In politics, it matters less who is attacked than who sets the agenda and moves the opponent. By drawing political attention to himself, Rep. Kim is rapidly expanding his influence as the new party leader.”

전시언 기자 yourside@news-s.kr