Kim Min-seok emphasizes 'wall-less' cooperation with the presidency while the People Power Party criticizes the election outcome.
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Kim Min-seok, the newly elected leader of the Democratic Party, signaled a push for close cooperation with the presidential office on his first full day in office. He met with Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo, stating that the interaction felt like "coming home" and vowing to form a "wall-less one-team" with the administration.
This overture comes as the opposition People Power Party (PPP) intensifies its criticism of the ruling party's recent convention. The PPP argued that President Lee Jae-myung effectively suffered a defeat in his attempt to control the party leadership, despite what they described as blatant interference.
PPP Floor Leader Kim Seung-su claimed that while the president intervened, the new party chief struggled in regions outside of Honam. He further alleged that three members aligned with the presidential office secured spots on the Supreme Council, per Yonhap News. The opposition characterized the result as a failure to purge internal factions.
Kim's schedule also focused on national service and legacy, following a visit to flood-stricken Geoje with stops at the National Cemetery and the grave of late President Kim Dae-jung. He emphasized his intent to "run from dawn" to address the country's needs.
Sources: 1. Yonhap News: 김민석, 강훈식과 포옹하며 "벽 없는 원팀"…국힘 윤리위 결과는 — https://www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/news/MYH20260818120240TJP (src1) 2.