Kim Sang-wook, who left the People Power Party, publicly supports Lee Jae-myung

Recently, Kim Sang-wook, an independent lawmaker who left the People Power Party, declared his public support for Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party.

On the 15th, lawmaker Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center and announced, "I believe that only candidate Lee Jae-myung is presenting an agenda for national integration beyond partisan logic and possesses the will and ability to resolve the national tasks we face." He proclaimed, "I publicly support candidate Lee Jae-myung as the appropriate candidate for the 21st president."

Lawmaker Kim stated, "Today's support declaration is separate from my potential party membership and my future path," and he added, "I am approaching matters carefully, keeping the issues of leaving the party, the support declaration, and my future completely separate and managing them in sequence."

He further emphasized, "I am approaching this with utmost caution, reflecting hundreds of times on what aligns with the national interest and what is appropriate for my role as a lawmaker, rather than my own interests or positions."

Regarding why he decided to support the candidate, he explained, "I considered whether he is committed to the national interest and the value of conservatism—specifically whether he fulfills the functions and roles of conservatism—and whether he has the will and ability to tackle the national tasks we face."

He also stated, "Conservatism and progressivism should be judged not by faction but by role and function. I hope this presidential election serves as an opportunity to overcome the outdated factional logic of politicians deceiving the public and to practice true democracy where the people are the masters."

Lawmaker Kim emphasized, "This president must be a successful president beyond partisan lines," stating, "Therefore, we need a proven president who can work well."

In relation to this, Kim noted that he views candidate Lee as "a candidate who upholds the inherent values and principles of society, embodies inclusiveness, dignity, and responsibility, and has a strong sense of patriotism," adding, "Even by conservative standards, I believe he is the most conservative candidate."

Describing Lee as the most conservative candidate, lawmaker Kim expressed, "Along with this public support, I would also like to ask candidate Lee Jae-myung to succeed in his presidential duties after he is elected."

Kim stated, "I sincerely hope that after Lee Jae-myung becomes president, he will successfully lead the numerous national tasks and the era of paradigm shifts, becoming a successful president," while also wishing for a heightened awareness of checks and balances concerning power within the ruling party, which is another condition for becoming a successful president.

At the end, Kim remarked, "I, too, will continuously ponder what roles I should take to ensure that candidate Lee Jae-myung is remembered in history as a successful president, acting with progressive proactivity when cooperating and with constructive rationality when being critical, always based on what aligns with the national interest."

Meanwhile, in the recent 22nd general election, lawmaker Kim, who was elected after receiving a solo nomination from the People Power Party in Ulsan Nam-gu Gap, faced friction due to his actions differing from the party's official stance on major issues, including the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-youl, and declared his departure from the party on the 8th, stating, "From now on, I will walk the path of democratic conservatism, not extreme or regressive conservatism."

Image source: Kim Sang-wook, independent lawmaker / News1, Kim Sang-wook, a lawmaker of the People Power Party under pressure to resign, writes in the guestbook after paying tribute at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. He declared his departure from the party, saying, "From now on, I will walk the path of true democratic conservatism." / News1, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, receives a work uniform with the phrase "Now, true Korea!" from Song Soon-ho, the chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Committee, during a rally in Changwon, Gyeongnam on the 14th, a region considered a challenging terrain for the Democratic Party. / News1