Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, has expedited appointments since taking office on October 17, completing key party personnel decisions. He stated that the appointments prioritize competence over balance. Following the usual personnel changes, the party plans to announce innovative appointments by the end of next week, with most lawmakers expected to take on roles.
According to the Democratic Party on the 22nd, spokesperson Park Sung-jun announced the appointments of political officials the previous day. The appointments include the chair of the Strategic Planning Committee (Rep. Kim Won-yi), chair of the National Communication Committee (Rep. Jang Cheol-min), chair of the Legal Committee (Rep. Yang Boo-nam), senior vice chair of the Economic Policy Committee (Rep. Min Byung-deok), senior vice chair of the Social Policy Committee (Rep. Heo Young), and permanent vice chairs of the Policy Committee (Reps. Heo Seong-moo and Park Hee-seung), along with the head of the Ethics and Inspection Committee (Rep. Kim Gi-pyo) and the head of the Education and Training Institute (Rep. Kim Hyun).
Additionally, the head of the party leader's advisory group (former Rep. Choi Jae-sung and Rep. Kim Kyo-heung), head of the Comprehensive Situation Room for General Elections (Rep. Yoon Jong-gun), head of the party leader's Political Coordination Office (former Vice Governor of Jeonnam Kang Wi-on), head of the Democratic Research Institute's Innovation Task Force (Rep. Kang Deuk-gu), and head of the Gangneung ITS Support Task Force (Reps. Kim Woo-young and Lee Don-tae, CEO of Lotte Holdings Design Strategy Center) have also been appointed.
On the 20th, during a general meeting of lawmakers, Kim announced the nominations of Jeon Yong-ki and Kwon Mi-kyung, chair of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' Public Solidarity Federation, as appointed top committee members. Jeon will represent the 'youth' sector, while Kwon will represent 'labor.'
Furthermore, Kim appointed Rep. Han Jeong-ae as Secretary General and Rep. Kwon Chil-seung as Policy Chair. Notably, both Han and Kwon previously served as the Minister of Environment and Minister of SMEs and Startups, respectively, during the Moon Jae-in administration. It is reported that former President Moon praised Kim's balanced appointments during a meeting, to which Kim responded, "I prioritized competence over balance."
On his first day in office, Kim also appointed spokesperson Park Sung-jun and Kim Tae-sun as the head of the party leader's secretariat. He further established the positions of senior deputy secretary general (Rep. Moon Jin-seok), organizational deputy secretary general (Rep. Ahn Tae-jun), chair of the Public Relations Committee (Rep. Kim Nam-jun), chair of the Good Local Government Committee (Rep. Shin Jeong-hoon), chair of the Democratic Party TV Preparation Task Force (former chair of the Public Relations Committee Han Woong-hyun), and spokespersons (Reps. Jo Gye-won, Lee Yong-woo, and former Rep. Shin Hyun-young).
Meanwhile, Kim has begun preparations for the upcoming general elections scheduled for 2028. With discussions surrounding the by-elections for the Gangneung National Assembly seat and the Seoul mayoral by-election next year, he aims to ensure thorough election preparations. Kim has expressed that during this party convention, he is someone who has led the party to victories in general elections, local elections, and presidential elections. It remains to be seen whether the newly formed leadership of the Democratic Party can successfully regain the declining support among young voters.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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