Kim Min-seok: "We must examine whether our party's local government heads are upholding dignity." Targeting Choo Mi-ae?

[Financial News] Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said on the 15th, "We fielded candidates (for the local elections) under our party's name. We must constantly monitor whether the elected candidates uphold our party's policy line and dignity." This remark is interpreted as targeting Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who has recently been leveling sharp criticism at President Lee Jae Myung.
Kim made these remarks at a joint meeting of city and provincial party chairpersons held at the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on that day, stating, "There are often gaps in oversight regarding the scope of activity of local governments, particularly their heads."
Political circles interpret Kim's remarks on "monitoring" made that day as effectively targeting Governor Choo. Governor Choo recently remarked to President Lee Jae Myung, "You should be punishing the forces of insurrection, so why are you trembling in fear while clinging to them?" Furthermore, since taking office, Governor Choo has declared Gyeonggi Province's finances to be in ruins and blamed the previous administration for the situation. In response, there has been backlash within the party, with some arguing that Governor Choo is taking issue with President Lee Jae Myung's time as governor of Gyeonggi Province.
At the joint meeting that day, Kim predicted a high possibility of a by-election for Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor and also emphasized that the entire nation must formulate a strategy together starting now to win the election.
Regarding the recent decline in national approval ratings, he said, "The party bears primary responsibility for reversing the approval rating," adding, "Now is the time for the party to get to work."
He analyzed the cause, stating, "The party and the Republic of Korea had been moving forward thanks to the President's leadership, but the results did not meet expectations during the local elections due to various shortcomings," and added, "The approval rating is low because the subsequent situation coincided with the end of the first year's honeymoon."
In response, Kim added, "Upon closer examination, I believe the bottom is almost near," and explained, "The party has a responsibility to take responsibility for the relationship between the party and Cheong Wa Dae, halt the downward trend in approval ratings, and bring about an upward rebound."
[email protected] Kim Hyung-gu Reporter