[Interview] Democratic Party's Kim Yong-min "Acknowledge Desire for Real Estate Asset Growth... Abolish Prosecution Investigation by June"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party running for the Supreme Council member position, stated regarding real estate, "There is also the concept of asset accumulation. Trying to control or suppress desire is dangerous." This perspective differs from that of the government and ruling party, which have emphasized the concept of residence.

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, Kim said, "Isn't a capitalist economy driven by human desires? The dissatisfaction is amplified because people feel the ladder of hope has been cut off, and telling them not to use real estate as a means of asset accumulation is viewing a natural desire negatively, which inevitably causes backlash."

Following the by-election defeat, the Democratic Party is exploring measures such as easing tax burdens for single-homeowners and lowering loan thresholds for the homeless. Kim, a 44-year-old first-term lawmaker, is aiming to join the leadership under the banner of party reform.

He emphasized, "When I meet people in their 20s and 30s, many say that the older generation owns real estate, so why are we told not to own and to move into rental housing? Within the party, many emphasize the concept of residence, but alternative perspectives need to be publicized."

Kim has served as a member of the Legal and Prosecutorial Reform Committee and has devoted himself to prosecutorial reform as a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. This is one of his main reasons for seeking the Supreme Council position. He also proposed a bill last year to abolish the Prosecutor's Office and establish a Public Prosecution Office.

Kim said, "If I join the leadership, I will consistently advocate for uninterrupted reform. The bill to abolish prosecutorial investigative authority and establish a Serious Crime Investigation Office has already been prepared at the Democratic Party's special committee level. With a decision, it can be passed by June."

He added, "The public's desire for prosecutorial reform has been clearly confirmed. It is necessary to conclude it promptly, even to avoid burdening the next presidential candidate."

He reads public sentiment as disappointment over failing to properly carry out necessary tasks rather than reform fatigue. Kim said, "When communicating with the public, they do not say reform is wrong. However, it appears that reform was not properly done, was dragged out, and livelihood issues were neglected. We must carry out swift and resolute reform through the 174 seats entrusted to us by the people."

His stance on former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk is also clear. Kim said, "Depending on perspective, the issue can be viewed differently, but it should be seen as a case of prosecutorial abuse of power. Such incidents have happened frequently in the past, with prosecutors recklessly fabricating cases. This is a concentrated example of such misconduct."

He continued, "Then, from the viewpoint of whether former Minister Cho is innocent, there can be sufficient self-reflection and it should be listened to. However, we must not overlook the institutional perspective of serious prosecutorial abuse of power, and we must also observe the outcome of the ongoing trial."