Kim Min-seok, a former prime minister running for leader of the Democratic Party, said Monday that claims he opposed or watered down prosecution reform are "100% fake news," amid a dispute over the truth surrounding the timing of prosecution reform legislation.
Appearing on YTN's "Lee Dong-hyung's News Head-to-Head" that day, Kim said, "I consistently called for abolishing security investigation authority, and I ultimately made that the government's position."
"Last time, I thought it would cause internal party strife and drain our energy, so I raised the government's position that we should finish it before May, and I also raised this issue with the party and even conveyed my views," he stressed again. "But at that time, it did not happen due to opposition from the party."
His account clarified the facts as his claims about the timing of the prosecution reform postponement diverged from those of former Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae. Kim and Jung have continued their dispute over the truth, making conflicting claims: Kim said "the government tried to process the second prosecution reform bill in May, but the party postponed it," while Jung said he "has no such recollection."
Explaining why he directly targeted Jung in his candidacy declaration, Kim said, "I learned (from former President Kim Dae-jung) that a politician must fight when necessary against those outside the party and also address what needs addressing within the party." He added, "Losing a general election is committing an unforgivable sin, so we must address now what needs addressing to avoid making the same mistake twice."
"From now over the next two years, if we waver as we did in this election, we will lose the general election and commit a sin against history," he stressed. "Correcting mistakes internally now is (necessary). I don't think this is a time to save face."
Regarding the controversy over the "Roh Moo-hyun-Chung Mong-joon Candidate Unification Promotion Council (Hudanhyup)" during the 2002 presidential election, Kim said, "Late President Roh Moo-hyun already settled this in his autobiography." He added, "He said it may have been a reasonable, sincere effort for regaining power and for candidate unification, and that the outcome went that way, though it put him in a difficult position."
"I have apologized hundreds of times over the parts related to my misjudgment, I intend to continue doing so, and I do so now as well," he said. "In particular, I hold truly deep gratitude toward President Roh."
On the need to supplement the one-person-one-vote system by giving weighted votes to delegates from certain regions and age groups, Kim said, "Because the election is imminent, there is no choice but to hold it as is for now." He added, "It is better to win with confidence through that election. After that, if there are institutional supplements to be made, we can gather the collective will of party members and proceed."
