Kim Jong-min "Geum Tae-seop running for Seoul mayor due to Democratic Party backlash? Not desirable"

Kim Jong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly last September. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] On the 20th, Kim Jong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on Geum Tae-seop, a former Democratic Party member who announced his candidacy for Seoul mayor, saying, "It is not desirable that resentment toward the Democratic Party and its members becomes the driving force for running for Seoul mayor."

On the same day, on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Rep. Kim said, "It's not something to nitpick about a politician running for election, and I think they can run," adding, "However, although he has received various attacks and criticisms from party members, it is not desirable to engage in politics fueled by resentment toward Democratic Party members and attacks on the Democratic Party."

He continued, "Many politicians have started that way, but none have ever succeeded," criticizing, "One must start with genuine ideas or visions for the citizens and the community to receive positive responses and evaluations from the public."

Regarding the failure to select a candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office, he pointed out, "The veto power is not a right to obstruct candidate selection, but the People Power Party exercised a right to obstruct rather than veto," adding, "I expected a situation where voices from various parties would come together to make decisions, but it has become impossible to make any decisions at all. It seems the law needs to be amended."

On Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's refusal to undergo inspection by the Ministry of Justice, he said, "It is a very dangerous situation," explaining, "It seems Prosecutor General Yoon thinks this inspection is unfair, but those subject to inspections or investigations always think they are unfair." He added, "If opinions differ, the law must be followed," and questioned, "What would have happened to South Korea if former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk had fought against searches and investigations?"

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