On the 7th, Kim Yong-min, a Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on the YouTube show "Kim Eo-jun's Dasboyeoder," hosted by broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. [Photo by YouTube 'Kim Eo-jun's Dasboyeoder' capture]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Kim Yong-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on the YouTube show 'Kim Eo-jun's Dasboyeoda' on the 7th and once again emphasized the need for prosecution and media reform. Regarding the atmosphere within his party after the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, he targeted the ongoing statements of "we reflect on ourselves," saying, "I don't know exactly what they are reflecting on, and hearing it repeatedly is uncomfortable."
Kim said, "Conservative media pointed out that the party's sentiment and public sentiment were separated, but that was not the case," adding, "In public opinion polls, we received higher support than from party members." He continued, "I talked only about reform throughout the election period," and added, "I just voiced my opinion, and I guess that was right."
On the 7th, Kim Yong-min, a Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on the YouTube show "Kim Eo-jun's Dasboyeoder" and had a conversation with broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. [Photo by YouTube 'Kim Eo-jun's Dasboyeoder' capture]
In response, Kim Eo-jun analyzed the cause, saying, "Right after the by-election, mentioning prosecution reform and media reform resonated with party members' hearts."
When Kim advised, "If you miss the timing for prosecution reform, you don't know when the opportunity will come," Kim Yong-min agreed, emphasizing, "We must finish before the momentum disappears, and if we miss it now, it won't happen in this administration or the next." He added, "Speedy reform is necessary, and the necessary reforms should be completed before the presidential candidate is decided."
Meanwhile, Kim also brought up the fact that on the 3rd, Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, was indicted on charges of defamation against Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (Research Fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute). On the 5th, Kim posted on his Facebook, stating, "The prosecution's indictment of Yoo Si-min on defamation charges against Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon is an abuse of prosecutorial power."
On the broadcast, Kim emphasized again, "I basically think this case will result in acquittal," and said, "Therefore, the prosecution's indictment is political." He said, "There were circumstances that made it reasonable for Director Yoo to suspect that the prosecution looked into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts," adding, "He naturally spoke what he could."
He also argued, "Since prosecutors are public officials, they have an obligation to accept criticism," and added, "Defamation against public officials generally does not hold except in very exceptional cases."
After Kim's statement on the 5th calling Yoo's indictment an 'abuse of prosecutorial power,' criticism continued from the opposition. On the same day, Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in a verbal statement, saying, "Director Yoo admitted his wrongdoing and even apologized, but they are nitpicking a clear matter and making it a political indictment."
Spokesperson Kim said, "Supreme Council Member Kim is spouting sophistry that state institutions cannot be subjects of defamation and that since an apology was made, the prosecution's indictment is politically motivated," and criticized, "Are you unaware that the blind double standards of the pro-Moon Democratic Party, who believe their side is always righteous, good, and immune, are plunging this era into darkness?"
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