Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has signaled his intention to seek the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, vowing to open a "golden age of democracy from a sea of party members."
Kim announced Sunday through social media that his "next mission" — after designing the governing plan of the Lee Jae Myung government and serving as chief of staff of the first Cabinet — is to build "a powerful and capable Democratic Party that can break through the resistance of vested interests and realize the spirit of the Lee Jae Myung government."
He described that spirit as creating a "golden age" in Korean history — comparable to the New Deal era in the United States or the construction of the welfare state in Sweden — that would establish South Korea as an irreplaceable leading nation. "President Lee Jae Myung is opening that first door," Kim said. "The revival of K-democracy, the Kospi approaching 10,000, the push to become a global AI hub, the hallyu wave — these are all signs of Korea's golden age."
Kim added that firmly backing the Lee government's vision is "both the wish of the people and the mission of the Democratic Party's one million members." To achieve three goals — policy success, victory in the next general election and consecutive terms in power — the party must become "a powerful pragmatic coalition that holds both economic growth and democracy," he said. "That is the path to strengthening popular sovereignty and party member sovereignty."
Kim also expressed gratitude to the public for supporting the president and the government over the past year, and thanked President Lee and party members for entrusting him with his responsibilities. "Just as I love the Republic of Korea, I love the Democratic Party as I love my own life," he said. "I will open a golden age of democracy from a sea of party members. The Lee Jae Myung government will surely open Korea's golden age."
President Lee named Han Sung-sook, minister of SMEs and Startups, as the next prime minister nominee on Sunday, formally setting in motion Kim's departure from the post.
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, briefing reporters on the nomination, expressed deep gratitude to Kim for his service as the Lee government's first prime minister, saying Kim had "led the recovery of the Republic of Korea by overcoming the insurrection."
Kang added that "it would not be much of an exaggeration to say that the achievements of the Lee government over the past year are in effect the achievements of Prime Minister Kim."
Kang also asked Kim to share his experience and insight with his successor as "the prime minister who opened the first chapter of the people's sovereignty government."
Kim met with President Lee on June 1 to tender his resignation.
Kim is expected to remain in office until the appointment process for Han is complete, including a confirmation hearing and a National Assembly vote on her nomination.
Political circles widely expect Kim to enter the race for the Democratic Party's leadership at its national convention, scheduled for August or September.
dlcw@heraldcorp.com
