"A Republic of Korea where the weak can have hope, where justice stands upright, and where clean individuals govern will be created."
Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Mun-soo officially announced his candidacy for the 21st presidential election, stating regarding centrist expansion, "The center is about caring for the weak and looking after them," and added, "Please look at the path I have taken."
Kim, the former minister, made his announcement in the National Assembly's communication hall the day after resigning from his ministerial position on the morning of the 9th. When reporters asked about his strengths or strategies for expanding the support base to contest against Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, he said, "I have lived fiercely through all aspects of the left, right, and center and have integrated them."
Kim also noted, "Originally, I had no intention of (running for president), but I came out due to the desperate situation in the country and the call of the people. I have no ambitions," and emphasized, "I came out to create a great Republic of Korea, where the weak can have hope, where justice stands upright, corrupt individuals go to prison, and where clean individuals govern."
During the Q&A session, a student from Seoul National University studying education and the representative of the Seoul National University declaration stood side by side with the youthful spokesperson Kim Min-seob. The former minister pointed to Kim, the spokesperson, saying, "What will happen to the youth if we extend the retirement age? Young people have no unions. Who will listen to the stories of these individuals?"
Given that he had previously argued against the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, attention was focused on his stance regarding the Constitutional Court's decision to dismiss Yoon.
In response, the former minister said, "The legal proceedings are ongoing regarding illegal aspects of the state of emergency, and the Constitutional Court ruled that Yoon's last emergency state was unconstitutional," providing only a general answer. Regarding whether he believes action such as expulsion or dismissal of the former president is necessary, he remarked, "The party leadership will take care of how to handle the president, so it is not appropriate for me to comment."
The former minister also stated, "I will thoroughly review all of former President Yoon's policies, continuing what can be continued, supplementing what is lacking, and correcting what is wrong." He added in his candidacy declaration, "I will reassess the healthcare reform issue, which caused inconvenience to the public, from square one and resolve it perfectly."
On this day, the press conference was held amid a chaotic atmosphere with around 100 reporters, election camp officials, and supporters gathering. Incumbents Park Soo-young and In Yo-han, among other current lawmakers, were present. Supporters at the National Assembly chanted "President Kim Mun-soo" and "Fighting Kim Mun-soo" until Kim left the assembly.
On this day, prior to declaring his presidential candidacy, the former minister submitted his party membership application after meeting with Kweon Young-se and Kweon Seong-dong, the leader of the People Power Party (PPP). Former Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won was appointed as the head of the election campaign headquarters, and Lee Yong-gu, former chair of the PPP's ethics committee, was appointed as the head of the support committee. The campaign is set to be established in the prestigious Yeouido Daehwa Building, which is considered a prime political election venue.