Democratic Party leader warns of signs similar to pre-impeachment era under Roh, urges unity behind Lee

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said Monday that now is the time to rally behind President Lee Jae Myung, not criticize him, warning that the current political climate resembles the period when forces inside and outside the party joined hands to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun during his first year in office.

Kim made the remarks during an appearance on the party's YouTube channel "Minti07." "People outside the party doing this is one thing, but this is just absurd. We need to stay sharp and pull together," he said.

The comments came during a discussion with philosopher Kim Yong-ok and former Democratic Party deputy spokesperson Seong Chi-hun on the qualities of leadership needed in the current era and President Lee's political philosophy. The remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuke of growing criticism of the president from within the party's own ranks.

Kim also expressed puzzlement over recent remarks by Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae. "I think people would have found it strange to hear that from a responsible politician or governor of the Democratic Party," he said. "I think she needs to explain why she said what she said." He added that the remarks were unlikely to have been perceived as coming from a senior Democratic Party figure.

Choo had attended a memorial ceremony for victims of the pro-democracy movement in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, on Saturday, where she said, "The president should be punishing the insurrection forces — why is he clinging to them in a state of anxiety?"

On the background behind his recommendation that Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in withdraw her nomination as minister of gender equality and family, Kim said the public had views on the matter "separate from whether it was legally permissible or not," adding that "public opinion matters." He said, "Half-jokingly, isn't public sentiment above the law?" He added, "I think she made that decision based on a realistic judgment. We also felt she should not take the post."

However, Kim said the Democratic Party would continue to cooperate with the Basic Income Party. "We have already agreed to hold open and friendly talks on easing the threshold for parliamentary negotiating groups and on electoral reform," he said. "Because Rep. Yong has a role to play, we will be more proactive going forward on progressive coalition building."