Ruling party pledges close coordination with gov't on key policy tasks

The Democratic Party (DP) has pledged close cooperation with the government and the presidential office on key policy matters, according to a resolution adopted by the party's lawmakers in Incheon, south of Seoul. This commitment comes ahead of the regular parliamentary session slated to commence the following week.

Kim Min-seok, the party's newly elected leader and a trusted adviser to President Lee Jae Myung, addressed the lawmakers during the workshop, emphasizing that the DP's primary focus would be on addressing citizens' needs. The party intends to swiftly pass bills related to livelihoods and the budget, as well as initiate judicial and election system reforms to drive major changes benefiting the public.

Moreover, the DP has affirmed its support for the government's three megaprojects initiative, which centers on promoting the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and related sectors like physical AI. In his concluding remarks, Kim urged the lawmakers to prioritize people's well-being above all else.

The selection of Kim as DP leader was contentious, as he faced criticism from some party members who argued that he was more inclined to appeal to conservative voters rather than fostering broader appeal. Former leader Jung Chung-rae, who lost the leadership contest, alleged that Kim's comments about him were "almost violent" in a public Facebook post. Jung had sought a second term but was unsuccessful in the recent national convention.