Kim Min-seok, leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 21st that building a "structural majority" is "an essential task for consecutive terms in power and for retaining the presidency," throwing his weight behind the concept put forward by President Lee Jae-myung.
Kim made the remarks on the party's YouTube program "Minty 07," saying there is "no difference within the party on the view that we must aim for a structural majority in order to sustain reform, succeed and stay in power." Lee's "structural majority" refers to the argument that the party must broaden its support base beyond its traditional voters to include moderates and reasonable conservatives. Speaking at a tea meeting with reporters at the Chunchugwan press center on the 19th, Lee reiterated the idea, saying, "If we huddle only among ourselves, we will end up a structural minority."
"There have been many cases where reforms moved backward after a change of government," Kim said. "Whether a party retains the presidency or stays in power for consecutive terms ultimately becomes the final report card on whether it ran the government successfully." He added, "Consolidating the base is a constant. The question on top of that is how to expand."
Kim pointed to a plateau in the president's approval ratings as the reason Lee has repeatedly stressed the structural majority in recent days. "I see it as an attempt to emphasize once again where we should set our direction, so that we do not lose sight of it while overcoming and breaking through the current difficulties," he said.
On Lee's expression of frustration over the pace of legislation at a Cabinet meeting, Kim said, "A considerable number of bills have been passed since I took office as leader, but there is simply a large backlog." He added, "We are missing fewer urgent bills now, and I have heard from the floor leadership that they will make greater efforts. I will also pay closer attention."
"Once the parliamentary audit of government agencies ends, the budget phase begins," he said. "The top priority of budget and fiscal policy is to make sure growth belongs to everyone."