'President Lee holds a firm conviction that retaining power is the ultimate report card of a successful government'
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said Wednesday that while differences exist within the party over reform priorities and strategy, there is broad agreement on the need to pursue a "structural majority" to sustain reform efforts and remain in power.
Kim made the remarks on the Democratic Party's YouTube program "Minty 07," discussing President Lee Jae-myung's concept of a "structural majority." He said building such a majority is "an essential task for consecutive terms and retaining power."
"I think the differences are in priorities, emphasis and methods of implementation — and I believe that is what the president was stressing," Kim said. "I have been thinking about this a great deal recently."
He added that history has shown reforms can be reversed after a change in government. "Could we not view retaining power as the ultimate report card for whether a government was run successfully? Winning a second term — or holding power consecutively — can be seen as the final measure," he said.
Kim said President Lee holds that view with great conviction. "Not just the president — most members of our party share that thinking," he said.
"Rallying our base as much as possible on policy and political matters is a constant," Kim added. "On top of that, we are focused on how to broaden our support."
Asked why President Lee raised the structural majority concept now, Kim said it has been a consistent position rather than a response to current circumstances. "If I were to offer my own interpretation — approval ratings are facing difficulties. I think he emphasized it again because, while pushing through the current hardships, you cannot afford to lose sight of the direction you are heading. If you do, you become consumed by the present," he said.
Kim said it is natural for any government to see its approval ratings fall and to need internal unity and policy coordination during such periods. "When difficulties arise, you have to rally together and sometimes paper over differences — but you must never forget where the ultimate direction lies," he said.
On President Lee's expression of frustration at the pace of legislation during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Kim said a significant number of bills had been passed since he took over as party leader, but acknowledged a backlog remains. "Missing urgent legislation has become far less common, but I heard from the floor leadership that they will work harder — and I will keep a closer eye on it as well," he said.
Kim also said the national audit season would soon give way to budget deliberations. "Making growth something that benefits everyone is the top priority for the budget and fiscal policy," he said, urging the public to watch the debates and discussions surrounding the budget.
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