원격 회의 방미 중인 김민석 국무총리가 15일(현지시간) 뉴욕 주유엔대표부에서 원격으로 총리실 영상 간부회의를 주재하고 있다. 총리실 제공
“방미는 대통령 방식 차기 주자 육성 프로그램” 방송에 “사실 왜곡” 반박
뉴스공장, 서울시장 출마 여부·국무회의 대리 주재 등 건건이 이슈화
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has publicly refuted claims made by a prominent YouTuber that his recent trip to the United States is part of a “succession training program” orchestrated by the presidential office. The exchange highlights growing tensions between the prime minister and political commentator Kim Eojun, and underscores the scrutiny surrounding high-level government travel and potential political maneuvering.
Kim Min-seok responded to the allegations, leveled by Kim Eojun on his YouTube broadcast <김어준의 겸손은 힘들다 뉴스공장> on March 16, calling them “a distortion of facts, political excess, illogical and unethical,” and an “absurd fantasy.” The dispute follows previous disagreements over the prime minister’s potential candidacy for Seoul mayor and questions about his handling of government meetings while President Lee was abroad.
In a post on his Facebook account, Prime Minister Kim stated, “Some media outlets have interpreted the prime minister’s diplomatic activities as training for the next presidential candidate.” While he did not name the specific media outlet, the statement is widely understood to be a direct response to Kim Eojun’s commentary.
Kim Eojun had claimed on his broadcast that Prime Minister Kim stated during a local meeting, “The President instructed me to actively gain diplomatic experience to utilize in state affairs.” Kim Eojun then interpreted this as part of a broader effort to cultivate potential successors to the President. He added that this observation led him to believe the President was guiding other potential candidates to develop in their respective areas.
The Prime Minister refuted this account, stating, “There is no mention of ‘instructions from the President to gain diplomatic experience’ in any of my remarks during the meeting.” He acknowledged the President consistently encourages him to fully exercise his constitutional powers and actively engage in U.S.-related issues, but firmly denied any directive to “gain diplomatic experience,” calling the suggestion of a succession plan “an absurd fantasy.”
Kim Min-seok further asserted that public service is “not the subject of martial arts novels” and that “the media is not a factory for martial arts fiction.” He expressed his belief that the press should adhere to ethical standards, particularly during the early stages of the President’s term, and that “the opposition should act like the opposition, the ruling party like the ruling party, and the media like the media.”
The Prime Minister continued, stating, “Reformist parties and reformist media should also remain true to their principles. Basic ethics are the same, whether conservative or progressive.” He concluded by saying that “the accumulation of objectivity, learning, ethics, dignity, training, and responsibility by citizens and party members will lead South Korea to grow a leading democratic nation in the world.”
This is not the first instance of conflict between Kim Min-seok and Kim Eojun. On March 5, Kim Eojun criticized the Prime Minister’s response to instability in the Middle East during the President’s overseas trip, alleging a lack of proper action. The Prime Minister’s office subsequently issued a statement clarifying that relevant ministerial meetings were held daily during the trip. A citizen group later filed a defamation complaint against Kim Eojun, but the Prime Minister indicated he did not wish to pursue legal action.
In January, the Prime Minister’s office expressed “deep regret” when Kim Eojun’s polling organization included Kim Min-seok in a survey of potential Seoul mayoral candidates despite a request to exclude him.
