People Power Party boycotts Kim Min-seok's nomination approval…"An outrage that mocks democracy"

Kim Min-seok: "Overcoming the economic crisis is the top priority"...Silent on questions about cooperation

On the 3rd, the People Power Party did not participate in the plenary session of the National Assembly where the confirmation motion for Kim Min-seok's nomination as Prime Minister was processed. Instead, they held a protest rally, asking, "Did President Lee Jae-myung become president just to hand out positions to those unqualified?" and urged for the withdrawal of the nomination.

Song Eon-seok, acting chairman and floor leader of the People Power Party, stated during the protest, "The forced approval of Kim Min-seok's nomination is not just a simple personnel failure," adding, "It is a political declaration exposing the dictatorial instincts of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

He went on, "By appointing Kim Min-seok, a symbol of arrogance and corruption, as Prime Minister, they are taking the first steps down the stairs of downfall known as dictatorial outrage. Please be sure to remember this," also saying, "The forced confirmation of Kim's nomination is a declaration marking the beginning of catastrophe for the Lee Jae-myung administration."

Song further stated, "President Lee Jae-myung said he would accept the opposition's reasonable opinions, but that was a blatant lie."

"Less than a day after talking about cooperation, and only hours after claiming he would reflect the opposition's views, the President railroaded the confirmation vote for the unqualified nominee Kim. This is an act of unilateralism ignoring the public, an exclusion of the opposition, and an outrageous act that mocks democracy," he emphasized.

On the other hand, immediately after the approval, Kim said to reporters, "I will never forget my gratitude to the people who have supported me. I will hold the will of the people in the highest regard, follow the directions of the President, and draw on the wisdom of lawmakers from both sides for state affairs."

He continued, "Overcoming the economic crisis caused by oppressive forces is the top priority. As the President's chief of staff, I will be an early-thinking, first-to-take-responsibility, early morning Prime Minister. I will open an era of a great people, great government, and great President."

When asked how he would appease the People Power Party, who opposed the approval, and cooperate with the opposition, Kim left the National Assembly without giving any particular answer.

Lee Seul-gi, Hankyung.com reporter seulkee@hankyung.com