Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, right, and ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Jung Chung-rae greet each other after attending a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the independence movement against Japanese colonial rule at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is gaining momentum as a potential next leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), with President Lee Jae Myung publicly praising his leadership and bringing him along to an official event.
The development marks a stark contrast with incumbent DPK Chairman Jung Chung-rae, who is seeking reelection but has come under criticism for the party's losses in several key races in last week's local elections. Kim was not invited to attend the aforementioned event.
Kim formally declared his candidacy for the DPK leadership, Sunday, writing on social media that after serving as prime minister throughout the president’s first year in office, his next mission is "to build a strong and capable DPK that can overcome entrenched resistance and realize the spirit of the times represented by the Lee administration."
“Politics is about realizing the spirit of the times, and firmly supporting the Lee administration's vision is both the wish of the people and the mission of the DPK’s one million members,” Kim wrote.
