Kim Min-seok Expresses Personal Trust in Song Young-gil: "I Guarantee He Is a Person with Little Greed"

Democratic Party "Respect Song's Decision to Return Immediately and Resign from the Party"

Kim Min-seok, the Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed on the 23rd that he felt "heartbroken" about former leader Song Young-gil's press conference. Kim also stated, "I guarantee that former leader Song is a person with little greed."

On the same day, Kim shared anecdotes about former leader Song through social media (SNS) and expressed his expectations. He said, "We have worked together for a long time, and although I opposed his candidacy for Seoul mayor, after he became a candidate, I supported him wholeheartedly. The day before he left for Paris, we had a meal together, and he gifted me a book about the world a hundred years from now after I encouraged him to practice his French pronunciation," adding, "Among politicians of our generation, I have always praised former leader Song for his academic zeal and dedication to studying."

Kim said, "Like me, he is a rare politician of our generation who still does not own a house," and added, "It may be grand to say he is ascetic, but I guarantee he is a person with little greed."

He continued, "During his time as party leader, he practiced the rule he set himself: ‘to leave the party, prove himself, and then return.’ His heartfelt consideration for the party will deeply resonate with everyone. The Democratic Party will rise again."

Kim, who is from the same ‘86 generation’ (students of the 1980s, born in the 1960s), appeared to extend a hand of support to former leader Song, who is facing the worst political crisis due to the money envelope scandal related to the party convention, emphasizing personal trust.

The day before, former leader Song held a press conference in Paris, France, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the people and party members for the money envelope scandal that occurred two years ago during the party convention," and added, "I will take full responsibility and respond accordingly." He also stated, "I intend to take all political responsibility and leave the Democratic Party," and expressed his intention to "resolve all issues and return." Earlier, when the real estate controversy arose during his tenure as party leader, he proposed that the involved lawmakers leave the party, clarify the situation, and then be reinstated. Former leader Song made it clear that he would apply the principles he proposed to himself. He also stated that he would return immediately and cooperate with the prosecution's investigation. At the press conference with correspondents, former leader Song acknowledged his political responsibility but claimed he was unaware of the money envelope delivery and related circumstances.

As the money envelope scandal related to the party convention permeated the political sphere, dissatisfaction with former leader Song was raised within the Democratic Party. However, after former leader Song announced his intention to leave the party and return immediately in the press conference, sympathy for him emerged.

On the same day, Kwon Chil-seung, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, released a brief statement saying, "We respect former leader Song’s decision to return immediately and voluntarily leave the party," and added, "We hope that with his return, the truth of this incident will be swiftly and transparently investigated without any political considerations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.