·As outgoing prime minister seeks return to Democratic Party for leadership contest, Lee says it is time for him to 'take on different role' Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (from left), Reps.
·Jung Chung-rae and Song Young-gil (Yonhap) A power struggle over the ruling Democratic Party's leadership appears likely to unfold, with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok hinting at a major role within the party as lawmakers split over the June local election results.
·Among those considered a contender against current chair Rep.
·Jung Chung-rae in the primary, expected to be held in mid-August, is Kim Min-seok, who offered to step down as prime minister Sunday and is seeking to return to the party as a four-term lawmaker.
·Announcing his resignation offer to President Lee Jae Myung in an X post Sunday, Kim said returning to the party and making it competent enough to align with the Lee administration's policy initiatives would be his "new mission." Kim's post signaled his bid for the party chairship, and he said on X that the election outcome had triggered "demands for the ruling Democratic Party to keep itself awake, stay alert and take on reforms." President Lee Jae Myung on Monday appeared to endorse Kim, saying it was time for him to take on a new role following his achievements as prime minister over the past year.
