Kim Ki-hyun, who filibustered wearing a diaper... "Bipartisan cooperation on real estate and vaccines is meaningful"

People Power Party Floor Leader Candidate Relay Interview ① Rep. Kim Ki-hyun
Real Estate and Vaccines as Top Priorities "If Housing Prices Hold, It's Ruin; Must Lower Them"
Emphasizes Struggle Despite Mentioning Dialogue and Compromise "Will Fight to the End if Necessary"

Kim Ki-hyun, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] Representative Kim Ki-hyun has left open the possibility of bipartisan cooperation on real estate policy and securing COVID-19 vaccines. Although he presents himself as a "strategic field commander" emphasizing combativeness, he stressed dialogue and compromise on core issues affecting the lives of the people.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, Rep. Kim said, "The areas the new floor leader should address first are real estate policy and vaccines." He stated, "If housing prices stabilize at the current level, it would be disastrous. We need to lower housing prices through increased housing supply," adding, "We also need to look into how to appropriately reduce the tax burden." He expressed willingness to "support" if the government and ruling party propose reasonable measures, saying, "That is why dialogue and compromise are necessary."

He continued, "Vaccines decisively affect all aspects of people's lives, safety, and the economy," and said, "Nothing is more important than vaccines, and we must approach securing them on a bipartisan basis." He has advocated sending a "parliamentary delegation" to the United States to secure vaccines. Regarding this, he expressed determination, saying, "If a delegation is formed, I will join hands with Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, or even embrace him and go."

Although he mentioned dialogue and compromise, he emphasized that combativeness is paramount as an opposition party. Rep. Kim stressed, "If necessary, I will fight to the end," and "When fighting, I fight with my life on the line."

Last December, he was the first opposition speaker during the unlimited debate (filibuster) aimed at blocking amendments to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Act. Rep. Kim said, "I wore a diaper intending to speak for about 10 hours," and introduced, "Showing such determination helps the party not to be intimidated and to gain strength." He added, "Although I am well acquainted with Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo as a fellow bar exam classmate, I led protests calling for his resignation," and said, "Despite the cold weather, I endured sleeping on the bare floor at the Supreme Court to secure a meeting."

If elected floor leader, he said he would meet with the ruling party floor leader and "propose that the National Assembly be operated based on the principles of dialogue and compromise, and that unilateral and autocratic forced passage of bills should no longer be repeated, respecting parliamentary traditions and customary law." Regarding the distribution of standing committee chairmanships, he said, "I will neither demand nor beg," but argued, "(The standing committee chairs held by the ruling party) are stolen goods, and returning them is not a matter of choice but an obligation."

Regarding the ongoing discussions within the opposition about unification, he emphasized natural integration. He said, "Once the People Power Party secures 40% support, unification will naturally occur," adding, "Until then, if we build our capabilities and approach the people innovatively and dynamically, unification will happen." Rep. Kim stated, "There is no need to artificially hasten or delay unification," but also said, "We should approach it by observing when the effect of opposition unification is greatest," and warned, "Emphasizing unification or merger unconditionally is a foolish choice."