Park Gee-won of the Democratic Party of Korea said on the 25th that he had heard that Prime Minister Kim Min-seok would not run for the next (Democratic Party) leader or for Seoul mayor.
Park said on YTN radio that day, "Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's mentor is in fact from the Donggyo-dong faction, so he listens a lot to senior adviser Kwon No-gap," adding, "This week I arranged to have a meal with adviser Kwon and Prime Minister Kim to discuss these issues."
Park said, "It seems the stance is to continue as prime minister next year and work for President Lee Jae-myung's success."
Park said, "Adviser Kwon told him, 'Don't run for Seoul mayor or party leader this time. Do it next time,'" adding, "So I heard indirectly that Prime Minister Kim is thinking along those lines."
Prime Minister Kim also repeatedly denied the "Seoul mayor bid" on the YouTube show "Maebul Show" the previous day on the 24th. He said, "I have said so many times that I don't have much thought about the Seoul mayor issue that it's almost embarrassing to say it again."
When asked about running for party leader next, he said, "As prime minister, I can't just decide what to do going forward. There is an appointing authority, so it is done within the overall flow, and saying I want to do this or not do that seems a bit beyond my place." He continued, "Half-joking, half-serious, I say I hope they let me serve as prime minister a bit longer," adding, "Fundamentally, the very idea of a prime minister thinking politically seems a bit off."