Kim Min-seok Extends Hand to Yong Hye-in While Sharpening Criticism Against Choo Mee-ae

Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok extended a hand to Basic Income Party Rep. Yong Hye-in, who withdrew following controversy over her nomination as a ministerial candidate, while repeatedly sharpening his criticism against Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mee-ae.

According to political circles on the 14th, Kim appeared on the Democratic Party's YouTube broadcast that day and said of Rep. Yong, who voluntarily withdrew from the position of Minister of Gender Equality and Family, "Although (she had to withdraw), Rep. Yong also has a role, so going forward we will pursue progressive coalition more actively."

Kim, who reportedly recommended that Rep. Yong make the decision to withdraw during the process of her ministerial candidate withdrawal, extended a hand again after just a few days.

Regarding Rep. Yong's controversy over concurrent service as a national assemblywoman and government official, Kim drew a line by saying "it is not illegal," but added "conventionally and reasonably, the usual sense is that one would step down."

While characterizing the ministerial withdrawal as a political decision reflecting "public sentiment," he effectively strengthened support for political alliance with Rep. Yong as an individual and with the Basic Income Party.

By contrast, Kim's message toward Governor Choo was different.

On the 12th, at a memorial service for victims of the democratization movement held at Moran Park in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, Governor Choo criticized President Lee Jae-myung, raising questions about the nomination of Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor and candidate for head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, saying "We should punish those who engaged in rebellion, but why are we anxiously being influenced by these forces?"

Kim directly criticized this publicly.

He said, "If we were to conduct a blind test and heard that statement, how would people evaluate it?" and "If people heard it and knew it was from a responsible politician of the Democratic Party, a provincial governor's statement, they would find it questionable." He added, "As for why Governor Choo made such remarks, an explanation from Governor Choo herself is necessary."

Kim also issued a strong warning against internal party criticism of the president.

He said, "This is a time when we need to unite our strength, and isn't this similar to the precursor when various forces inside and outside tried to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun when he should have been settling in? Now we must sharpen our focus and unite our strength together."

While Kim did not directly point to Governor Choo's remarks as a "precursor to impeachment," the fact that he raised questions about the governor's criticism of the president on the same broadcast indicates that the level of warning toward internal party critical forces is considerable.

The tension between Kim and Governor Choo is not new.

On the 11th, marking 100 days since local governments took office, Kim announced that he would conduct a comprehensive review of the budgets, projects, and promises of Democratic Party-affiliated provincial and municipal leaders, saying "Because we are from the same ruling party, it won't be 'let's do things nicely' but 'let's do things properly'—I will whip-crack firmly."

In Gyeonggi Province, controversy over appropriateness continues regarding Governor Choo's designation of the province's finances as essentially "on the brink of insolvency" and her launch of financial restructuring. Against this backdrop, there is speculation that the "whip-cracking" Kim promised could be directed at Gyeonggi Province if the Democratic Party's local government review includes Governor Choo's financial management and policy promises.

Just four days after the promise to "whip-crack," Kim's criticism has extended beyond a review of local government policies and promises to public criticism of Governor Choo's political statements.

Kim extended a hand again to Rep. Yong from outside the party, who bears the political burden of a ministerial candidate's withdrawal, saying she "has a role," while repeatedly directing public criticism at Governor Choo, a senior member of the same party and an influential provincial leader. The temperature difference in how Kim treats the two is becoming increasingly apparent.

One political circles official said, "While quickly containing the controversy with Rep. Yong by having her withdraw from the candidate position and reopening the door to alliance, he is publicly putting the brakes on Governor Choo regarding both local government operations and messages toward the president," adding "It appears that Kim is expanding alliance outside the party while tightening ranks centered on the president internally."

전시언 취재편집부문 대표 yourside@suwonilbo.kr