Kim Minseok Rebukes Kim Eo-jun's 'Next Leader Training' Claim: "Absurd... The Media Is Not a Martial Arts Fiction Factory"

Minseok Kim, Prime Minister, who is currently visiting the United States, sharply criticized YouTuber Kim Eojun, who referred to his diplomatic activities as a "next presidential candidate fostering program," calling it "an absurd fantasy" and adding, "The media is not a martial arts fiction factory." This appears to be a pointed critique referencing Kim's YouTube program "News Factory."

Minseok Kim, Prime Minister

On his Facebook page that day, Prime Minister Kim wrote, "The fulfillment of public duties, which is marked by a tremendous sense of responsibility, is not the stuff of martial arts novels." Regarding Kim's remarks, he added, "This is a distortion of facts, an illogical and unethical excess of politics," and clarified, "While it is true that President Lee Jaemyung instructed me to actively address issues related to the United States in my role as Prime Minister, he never told me to 'gain diplomatic experience.'"

He continued, "I believe that there are journalistic ethics that should be upheld, especially in the early stages of a presidential term," and reiterated, "Reformist ruling parties and reformist media alike must be reform-minded, but they must also remain grounded in their fundamental roles."

Earlier that morning, on his YouTube broadcast "Kim Eojun's News Factory: Humility Is Difficult," Kim Eojun commented on Prime Minister Kim's visit to the United States, saying, "I interpret this as part of a presidential-style next candidate fostering program," and added, "I felt that President Lee was encouraging potential presidential hopefuls to grow in such a manner."

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