Representative Kim Min-seok Refutes Controversy Over Appointed Supreme Council Member Selection and Calls for President's Secession

Regarding the selection method for appointed Supreme Council members, some within the party raised concerns about insufficient prior consultation, despite it being a matter for the Supreme Council's resolution. Supreme Council members argued that the sudden disclosure of the list without even minimal consultation, when party rules and regulations stipulate consultation with the Supreme Council, raises questions about the legitimacy of the resolution.

However, Representative Kim Min-seok's side countered that the party leader's appointment of Supreme Council members is an exclusive authority, and party rules and regulations only state that the party leader designates them through a Supreme Council resolution, without mandating prior consultation. This is interpreted as an attempt to dismiss the controversy by emphasizing the absence of procedural flaws.

Representative Kim Min-seok explained that the current selection of appointed Supreme Council members is not merely a procedural issue, but involves strategic considerations. He emphasized that the appointments included a labor figure who had been marginalized, and pointed out that the Supreme Council member representing the labor sector is from Gangwon Province, highlighting a strategic balance that considered vulnerable regions.

Representative Kim Min-seok interpreted the Supreme Council members' opposition to the appointment of designated Supreme Council members as an attempt to diminish the party leader's authority and effectively transform the Supreme Council into a collective leadership system. He views this as a move to weaken the party leader's leadership and change the party's operational structure, which must be guarded against.

Representative Kim Min-seok cited past instances where the party leader unilaterally announced a party merger without consultation with Supreme Council members, pointing out the Supreme Council members' 'double standards.' He noted that at the time, Supreme Council members did not raise procedural issues for much more significant matters like party mergers. This implicitly criticizes their current focus on procedural legitimacy only for the issue of appointed Supreme Council members as hypocritical.

Regarding Lee Seok-yeon, Chairman of the National Unity Committee's, assertion of the need for the President's secession, Representative Kim Min-seok criticized it as ignorance of the Constitution. However, Chairman Lee Seok-yeon countered, arguing that Representative Kim Min-seok was the one ignorant of the Constitution, intensifying the controversy.

Representative Kim Min-seok strongly criticized the argument for the President's secession as based on constitutional ignorance, emphasizing that it is inconsistent with the principle of responsible governance. He highlighted the importance of party-government unity, citing the historical experience where President Roh Moo-hyun's attempt at party-government separation ultimately failed, and he acknowledged at the end of his term that party-government separation was wrong and needed to be restored.

Representative Kim Min-seok emphasized that the relationship between the President and the party is already clearly defined based on Article 77 of the Democratic Party of Korea's Party Constitution. Article 77 stipulates that a party member elected as President has the authority to participate in party affairs during their term and the duty to implement party policies. It also states that the party's platform and policies should be reflected in state administration, and the party must actively support the President's governance. Furthermore, it mandates regular party-government consultations and grants the authority to recommend personnel necessary for state administration.

Representative Kim Min-seok strongly criticized the arguments from some within the party for complete separation of party and government or for a first-year President's secession, stating they are based on constitutional ignorance or misunderstanding and are inconsistent with the principle of responsible governance. He drew a line, asserting that such claims are historically incorrect and utterly unacceptable from the party's perspective. Furthermore, Representative Kim added that while the current party constitution and rules clearly define the relationship between the party, the President, and the Blue House, there may be a need to consider amending the party constitution and rules through comprehensive party discussions to further strengthen party-government relations if necessary.

There is widespread suspicion within the party regarding the political motives behind Chairman Lee Seok-hyeon, a constitutional expert, advocating for the President's secession. Some analysts suggest that Chairman Lee might be considering past instances where shaking the President and leaving proved successful, aiming to oppose leader Lee Jae-myung, secede, use it as a badge of honor, and then transform into a People Power Party politician.

The host and panelists emphasized that if the President secedes, the principle of responsible governance would be severely undermined. It would become unclear who to hold accountable when the President makes mistakes, potentially leading to a situation with neither a ruling party nor an opposition party. They explained that party politics and responsible governance involve the party electing a candidate to reflect its policies and pledges in state administration, and if there are faults, the people exercise their sovereignty by judging the candidates of that party in the next election. Presidential secession was seen as an act that shakes the very foundation of responsible governance.

The host and panelists positively evaluated Representative Kim Min-seok's direct and forceful approach in tackling issues that the President or the Blue House might find difficult to address directly. They viewed this as aligning with the ideal party-government cooperation model desired by President Lee Jae-myung and the Blue House, where the party leader acts as a shield and provides support without direct instructions from the President. It is analyzed that Representative Kim's actions will solidify his leadership within the party and create synergy between the party and the government.