On February 9, 2026, the political heart of South Korea beat a little faster as lawmakers gathered in Yeouido, Seoul, for the National Assembly’s plenary session. The air was thick with anticipation—after all, the session marked the start of three intense days of government questioning covering politics, diplomacy, unification, and security. With the country’s leadership under the microscope, every word and gesture was scrutinized, none more so than those of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.
Prime Minister Kim, a seasoned political figure, faced a barrage of questions about his future ambitions and the government’s policy direction. The most pointed queries came from Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Hoo-duk, who wasted no time in probing Kim’s political intentions. "Will you remain an ordinary party member at the August convention, or do you have your sights set on the party leadership?" Yoon pressed, his tone both curious and insistent.
Kim, appearing momentarily caught off guard, paused before responding. "I am focusing on state affairs," he replied, sidestepping the question with practiced poise. When Yoon followed up, asking if Kim harbored any personal ambitions, the Prime Minister repeated his commitment to government duties, again avoiding a direct answer. According to Seoul Economic Daily, Kim’s measured responses left the chamber buzzing with speculation about his next move.
The questioning didn’t stop there. Yoon also asked whether Kim might run for Seoul mayor—a position long considered a stepping stone to higher office. Kim was unequivocal: "I have already said I will not run. I have repeatedly stated that I am focusing on state affairs." This stance echoed remarks he’d made at a New Year’s press conference a week earlier, where he admitted that both the Seoul mayoralty and party leadership had once been aspirations. "As someone who has been in politics, being Seoul mayor was a dream, and so was being party leader," Kim said at the time. "But once I became Prime Minister, I judged that running for Seoul mayor would be difficult and decided to focus on state affairs."
While Kim’s personal ambitions drew much of the spotlight, the session’s real business was the government’s performance on a range of pressing issues. The Democratic Party, led by lawmakers like Yoon Hoo-duk and Park Joo-min, went on the offensive, highlighting the importance of stability and effective governance. Yoon zeroed in on the government’s handling of trade negotiations with the United States, particularly the risk of new tariffs if talks on non-tariff barriers faltered. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed the stakes, explaining that "if progress on non-tariff barrier negotiations with the US stalls, the US may consider imposing tariffs on South Korea." Cho also revealed that under presidential orders, negotiators were working to accelerate talks—even before the US Investment Special Act had passed.
Security was another major theme. According to Daily Today, Park Joo-min raised the issue of the ongoing US-Korea security package negotiations. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun responded that a US delegation would visit South Korea later in February to discuss nuclear-powered submarines and the nuclear fuel cycle—talks with significant implications for national defense.
The session also brought local governance and transparency issues to the fore. Park Joo-min questioned the legitimacy of Seoul’s "Garden of Thanks" project in Gwanghwamun, voicing concerns that the project had not been adequately communicated to citizens and was lacking in proper administrative procedures. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok responded that a construction halt order was under consideration, explaining, "The project proceeded without sufficient public notice, and a review by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport revealed procedural shortcomings."
The opposition, led by the People Power Party, seized the opportunity to criticize the government’s economic and real estate policies. Lawmaker Joo Ho-young grilled officials on the uncertainty surrounding US tariff negotiations and the persistent challenges of high exchange rates and inflation. He argued that the administration’s aggressive real estate policies were fueling market instability. Meanwhile, other lawmakers demanded investigations into political controversies, including allegations related to the Unification Church and campaign funds, and challenged the legitimacy of ongoing special investigations.
Unification policy was not left out. Independent lawmaker Choi Hyuk-jin asked about the direction of inter-Korean relations, prompting Unification Minister Jung Dong-young to reveal that the government was actively considering lifting the May 24 sanctions—a move with both symbolic and practical significance. Jung elaborated, "Lifting sanctions that have lost effectiveness would have great symbolic meaning, and we also need to consider practical steps like energy cooperation to build real trust between North and South Korea."
Despite the heated exchanges, the government’s supporters pointed to notable achievements. Lawmakers Hong Ki-won and Jung Joon-ho highlighted the administration’s successes, such as the KOSPI index reaching 5,000 points and the smooth hosting of the APEC summit, as evidence of economic stability and renewed diplomatic credibility under President Lee Jae-myung’s leadership.
Yet, as the session wore on, it became clear that the political landscape was anything but settled. The Democratic Party touted its "capable governance," while the People Power Party hammered away at what it saw as failures on tariffs and real estate. Calls for new special investigations and accusations of political suppression only added to the sense of drama. The three-day questioning period, set to continue through February 11, promised more fireworks—and perhaps, more clarity on the direction of South Korea’s leadership.
For Kim Min-seok, the scrutiny was personal as well as political. Even as he insisted, "I am focusing on state affairs," speculation about his future swirled. Would he seek the party leadership in August, or was he content to remain above the fray as Prime Minister? For now, Kim is keeping his cards close to his chest, leaving both supporters and critics guessing.
South Korea’s National Assembly, meanwhile, continues to serve as the nation’s arena for debate, dissent, and—occasionally—consensus. With trade, security, and political integrity all on the table, the coming months are sure to test both the government’s resolve and the opposition’s tenacity. One thing is certain: the country’s leaders, and the public they serve, will be watching every move.