Kim Min-seok “Prosecutorial manipulation, principle of cancellation… Government can't succeed with methods of past 1 year” [Interview]

Kim Min-seok, a candidate from the Democratic Party, stated that "manipulated prosecutions should be cancelled." He added that "wrongfully accusing someone and resolving the case through trial is violence and barbaric." During an interview on August 11th, Kim Min-seok made this statement in a Seoul, Mapo-gu, Dong-dong-gu, Hangeul Shinmun office.

He said that cancelling a prosecution is the principle, and selecting the method of cancellation is a matter of choice. Kim Min-seok intended to lead the establishment of the "Mega & Regional Growth Special Committee" among the six committees he would establish as the party's chairman. He added that "it's not necessary to conclude on the 52-hour exception application of 'Mega Special'.

"Kim Min-seok is currently leading 1.48% ahead of incumbent Cho Hyun-rae with a 46.01% accumulated vote share compared to 44.53% for Cho Hyun-rae. He had previously served as the first minister of the Jeong Jong government. Kim Min-seok announced that his first challenge as party chairman would be to "successfully launch the 'Three Mega Projects'".

He elaborated that the committee would cover the 'Mega & Regional Growth Project' that combines mega projects in the north, central, and south of the country, as well as regional leadership growth. The newly established committee would be led by Kim Min-seok. Additionally, Kim Min-seok said that the "moral integrity of basic society and the 'Opposing Pole Special Committee' are very important, so I will propose a chairman to the very responsible person."

He emphasized that "whether to handle manipulative prosecutions through special investigation or by the prosecutor himself cancelling it is a matter of choice. It should be decided by examining the public sentiment." Kim Min-seok also stated that "cancelling wrongful or manipulated prosecutions is the principle. The method is a matter of choice."

He suggested that "whether to resolve through a trial or for the prosecutor to cancel it independently should be determined by gathering public sentiment. Public consensus should be sought on the issues that arise from the investment of mega projects in the communities and labor of the regions. We don't need to conclude on the current conclusion."

Kim Min-seok emphasized that "the emotional turmoil caused by the competitors should be put to rest. He promised to make decisions based on merit alone. He said that he would not be divided by party. He emphasized that he would work together to discuss matters in a dignified manner with the Jo Guk Innovation Party. He stated that he was confident they would become one in resolving issues such as social security, judicial, and police reform."

Before the interview, Kim Min-seok appeared at the Hangeul TV 'News Dive' program, where he said "the candidates from the final majority must vote for me to win the election." He added, "I will prepare a plan for the first 100 days as the party chairman. In about 100 days, I aim to raise the government and party support rate by 10 percentage points."

Regarding the current competitive cycle of house and Seoul-Gyeonggi region, Kim Min-seok said, "I will win, but I won't stop there. My mission is to prove that the success of the Jeong Jong government is not only the beginning but also the end."