Kim Min-seok: "We Are All Old... We Need to Reset to Win Back Power"

[Financial News, Incheon = Lee Hae-ram, Kim Hyeong-gu]Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), said on the 27th that while the party is currently in a golden era, it must broaden its appeal to the center if it wants to retain power. He stressed that, given how outdated politicians’ perspectives have become, the party should aim for a return to power through a "reset" based on a pragmatic expansion line. His remarks were seen as a roundabout rebuttal to former leader Jung Cheong-rae’s claim that "there is no center."
At the lawmakers’ workshop held that day at Inspire Hotel & Resort in Yeongjong District, Incheon, Kim said, "The pro-people livelihood and pragmatic expansion line is the line of our government and our party," adding, "We must move toward a path that will make the remaining four years of the Lee Jae-myung administration a success and help create a golden era."
Kim said the DPK is now in the position of a "reform ruling party." He noted that the party had long focused on fighting the government as a reform-minded opposition force, but now faces a dilemma after taking power. He also said that from the perspective of the party’s dominant 86 generation, it is difficult to understand the views of younger people.
Kim argued, "Because the country’s standing has changed for people in their 20s, approaching them with the emotions of the era when we were shouting anti-imperialism will not work," adding, "We need to change through a reset."
He continued, "We are all old," and said, "If we do not achieve a generational shift, I do not think it will be possible for our party to continue running state affairs five or 10 years from now."
Kim also said that to persuade young people, the party needs more advanced discussions. "The society we have aimed for is a basic society, isn't it? We need to present an upgraded basic society," he said.
He added that while the party talks about mega projects, it has reached a point where it must place equal, if not greater, emphasis on the large and bold agenda of narrowing inequality.
Kim also stressed that the party must become more intense and more desperate if it wants to win the 2028 general election and the 2030 presidential election. "If we do not have the kind of intensity and urgency that local governments show when trying to win public contest projects, the party cannot survive," he said. "Elections as the ruling party are not easy. Only by giving it everything do we create a chance."
He also said, "We must take the path of the pro-people livelihood and pragmatic line and move toward a path that will make the remaining four years of the Lee Jae-myung administration a success and create a golden era," adding, "I will work through each issue one by one in step with all of you lawmakers."
[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter