Kim Min-seok Drives Legislative Agenda for Livelihood Enhancement

The Democratic Party of Korea launched various internal organizations on September 22 to support the national agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration. On the morning of the same day, party leader Kim Min-seok attended the launch ceremonies for the Animal Welfare Task Force, the Transition of Wartime Operational Control Promotion Committee, and the Dignified Society and Livelihood Stability Promotion Committee, emphasizing the importance of 'livelihood' and highlighting the ruling party's role.

At the launch ceremony for the Dignified Society and Livelihood Stability Promotion Committee held at the National Assembly, Kim stated, "Everything we have launched so far has been in preparation for the Dignified Society Committee that is being established today. All our party activities must now aim toward a dignified society."

He noted, "When the Lee Jae-myung government began, the situation was difficult due to the aftermath of the coup, and we aimed for economic recovery, which we have achieved relatively steadily. However, polarization has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are entering a mega-growth era where super-profits are possible due to AI. The challenge is how to address the extreme gaps and polarization." He emphasized that the concept of a dignified society should accompany growth, stating, "We must provide a 'dignified life' for all citizens."

Kim defined 'mega growth' and 'mega livelihood' as the 'Big 2' among the 12 special internal organizations referred to as 'Mega 12' and suggested that the party's identity, which embodies a 'basic society,' should be redefined as a dignified basic society.

Former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, who serves as the senior advisor to the Dignified Society Committee, remarked, "What has the Democratic Party been doing in the past year and four months of growth, behind the scenes of people's lives?" He urged party members to set aside personal ambitions, cease conflicts, and focus on the party's agenda to overcome inequality and prioritize livelihood issues.

Additionally, on the same day, the party launched the 'Animal Welfare Task Force' to promote animal welfare policies and the 'Transition of Wartime Operational Control Promotion Committee' to discuss the transfer of wartime operational control. These initiatives appear to support the Lee Jae-myung administration's national agenda on animal welfare and the transfer of operational control.

Kim promised, "If we organize the necessary tasks from the perspectives of people, administration, and animals, and present them in order, the party will be able to address each one through policy and legislation." He also noted, "There was a time when it was deemed more advantageous for South Korea's security for the U.S. to exercise operational control, but now we are transitioning to a stage where exercising operational control ourselves is practically beneficial for security."