Kim Min-seok's Centrist Expansion Theory, Pursuing 'Reform and Practicality' Simultaneously

She suggested that any disagreements within the party should be resolved by collaboratively finding answers, emphasizing the need for open discussion.

Spokesperson Kim Min-ju analyzed that the debate between centrist expansion and factional cohesion, or strengthening distinctiveness, is a continuous conflict for creating a structural majority. She pointed out that the debate over whether to strengthen distinctiveness or to create a structural majority through centrist expansion even if it means sacrificing some distinctiveness, is like a parallel line that is difficult to resolve.

Spokesperson Kim Min-ju emphasized the importance of regaining power through the experience of the DJ government. She mentioned the lesson that no matter how good the reforms and national vision presented, if power is not regained, all efforts become meaningless and can even lead to reaction. She added that this is a historical fact that can also be confirmed in the case of the Roh Moo-hyun government.

Spokesperson Kim Min-ju argued that the case of the Millennium Democratic Party during President Kim Dae-jung's era should be benchmarked. At that time, the Millennium Democratic Party recruited a businessperson as party leader and pursued mass expansion by advocating for the identity of a common people's party. She explained that this was an attempt to overcome the limitations of the student activist mainstream culture within the party and embrace a wider spectrum of talent and supporters.

Chairman Kim emphasized that political change must be driven by performance, citing the formation of the Megacity TF as part of this effort. He added that since party members chose this change, the debate should now cease, and progress should be made.

Spokesperson Kim Min-ju mentioned that there is a viewpoint, held by former Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae, that if reform is united, the center will naturally follow. She introduced herself as a party member close to that position. However, she stated that if Chairman Kim Min-seok consistently persuades with experimental attempts for centrist expansion, she is willing to listen, revealing the perceptions of party members seeking harmony between reform and practical lines.

The interlocutor pointed out that while the Democratic Party's support base is solid, support from the centrist and 2030 generations, as well as in the Seoul area, is departing. In particular, the centrist faction tends to be very sensitive to economic and livelihood policies. He emphasized that to secure a structural majority, a balanced strategy is needed that promotes reform while also accommodating centrist public sentiment.

The interlocutor warned that if only 'our-centric' reform distinctiveness is insisted upon and extreme reform tendencies are claimed to be solely correct, it will be difficult for the centrist faction to agree. He mentioned the historical harms caused by extreme reforms, such as the British and French Revolutions and the Chinese Cultural Revolution, pointing out that excessive emphasis on distinctiveness can actually lead to a crisis for progressive forces.

The interlocutor disclosed the contents of a tea meeting with former Chief of Staff Noh Young-min three years ago. Former Chief of Staff Noh mentioned that to extend the term of office, there are times when reforms should be pursued and times when reforms should be temporarily postponed to accommodate centrist public sentiment, noting that the need to accommodate the centrist faction increases particularly in the latter half of the term. This suggests that the current ruling party also faces similar structural concerns between pursuing reforms and centrist public sentiment.

The interlocutor stated that Chairman Kim Min-seok formed the Grand Unity Committee with three divisions: progressive solidarity, cooperation with the Rebuilding Korea Party, and recruitment of right-leaning talent. Chairman Kim perceives all of these not as a matter of priority but as tasks to be pursued simultaneously, and he aims to achieve both goals by serving concurrently as chairman and head of the talent committee.

The interlocutor cited the Euljiro Committee as the most reformative activity within the Democratic Party, emphasizing the need to distinguish between reform and agitation. He pointed out that emphasizing distinctiveness can lead to agitation for seizing party hegemony. He argued that true reform involves working with people suffering in the field of people's livelihoods and seeking practical solutions.