Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, addressed the recent controversy surrounding the missing persons case in Jeju, stating that the incident occurred while the prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority was still in effect. He also pledged to take full responsibility for police reforms aimed at restoring public trust.
During a Supreme Council meeting held in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on the morning of August 26, Kim acknowledged the public outrage over the case being falsely concluded but emphasized that it unfolded while the prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority was operational.
Kim announced plans to enhance democratic oversight of the police, vowing to eradicate six major issues: favoritism, concealment of cases, unauthorized closures, evidence tampering, privacy violations, and leaks of investigative information. He specifically mentioned expanding external audits and strengthening legal accountability for illegal or inadequate investigations.
Additionally, Kim refuted claims of division within the party that surfaced during the August 17 party convention, asserting, "The Democratic Party is united yesterday, today, and tomorrow." He explained that during a recent dinner with candidates for party leadership, they clarified their differing views and apologized for any excessive remarks, reaffirming their camaraderie. He expressed gratitude to the Supreme Council members for prioritizing the party's future despite differing opinions.
Kim concluded by expressing confidence that unity and cooperation within the Supreme Council would lead to the party's success, stating, "The Democratic Party will focus on stabilizing national governance amid internal and external challenges."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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