Kim Young-joo, Vice Chairman, Joins People Power Party... People Power Party's Approval Rating Surpasses Democratic Party Beyond Margin of Error

Democratic Party's Second Incumbent Joiner After Lee Sang-min
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Ruling Party's Approval Rating Rises for Second Consecutive Week

Kim Young-joo, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly who left the Democratic Party, joined the People Power Party on the 4th. Following Representative Lee Sang-min, he is the second incumbent lawmaker to switch party affiliation from the Democratic Party to the People Power Party ahead of the April 10 general election. The People Power Party's attempt to expand its base has led to a rise in party support ratings for two consecutive weeks, surpassing the Democratic Party beyond the margin of error.

Deputy Speaker Kim held a joining ceremony at the People Power Party headquarters on the same day. After being notified by the Democratic Party's nomination management committee on the 19th of last month that he was in the bottom 20% of incumbent lawmaker evaluations and declaring his departure from the party, he met with Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, on the 1st.

Chairman Han told reporters on the 4th, "The People Power Party is a party of liberal democracy. It becomes stronger when many people with diverse thoughts come together," adding, "With Deputy Speaker Kim joining, the People Power Party's base broadens, and I believe we can represent many people." Kim, who served as the standing vice chairman of the Korean Federation of Financial Industry Trade Unions, first won a proportional representation seat (Open Democratic Party, now Democratic Party) in the 17th general election. Although he lost in Yeongdeungpo-gap, Seoul, in the 18th general election, he was subsequently elected for three consecutive terms (19th to 21st National Assembly), making him a four-term lawmaker. He also served as the first Minister of Employment and Labor under the Moon Jae-in administration.

On the 4th, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is seen taking a commemorative photo after putting a party jumper on Kim Young-joo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, who joined the People Power Party at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman Han also reinforced the legitimacy of recruiting Deputy Speaker Kim during the emergency committee meeting that day by citing a partial amendment to the Criminal Act that Kim proposed as the lead sponsor in September 2022. The amendment includes provisions to punish espionage for leaking state secrets to 'foreign countries.' Under the current Criminal Act, espionage is punishable only when committed for 'enemy states' such as North Korea. Chairman Han explained, "Our party made great efforts last year to pass this amendment, but the Democratic Party showed a lukewarm attitude and effectively opposed it, so unfortunately, it was not passed in this National Assembly."

Wearing a red jumper, Deputy Speaker Kim made remarks at the joining ceremony that seemed to target Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party. He said, "Politicians should work for national development and the improvement of citizens' quality of life," adding, "They should not be used as tools for personal gain." He continued, "I have never been someone who stands out in legislative activities," but said, "If there is a role for me to play in grassroots politics and the development of our surroundings for the sake of the Republic of Korea, I will not hesitate."

On the 4th, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is putting a party jumper on Kim Young-joo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, who joined the People Power Party, at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

With the recruitment of Deputy Speaker Kim, the People Power Party is reportedly considering prioritizing a nomination (strategic nomination) for the Yeongdeungpo-gap constituency. Jang Dong-hyuk, the secretary-general of the People Power Party, responded to reporters' questions about the nomination process on the morning of the same day, saying, "We will reach a conclusion without delay," and added, "We have prepared considering various situations, so we will make a decision as soon as possible according to the circumstances."

As opposition to nominations continues within the Democratic Party, the People Power Party's support rate has recently been on the rise. According to a poll conducted by Realmeter on behalf of Energy Economy Newspaper from March 28 to 29, surveying 1,001 people aged 18 and over nationwide, the People Power Party garnered 46.7% support, while the Democratic Party received 39.1%. The gap between the two parties was 8.6 percentage points, outside the margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. Compared to the previous survey, the People Power Party's support increased by 3.2 percentage points, while the Democratic Party's support decreased by 0.4 percentage points.

Support for the People Power Party rose in Seoul (up 10.5 percentage points), Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (up 9.0 percentage points), but declined in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (down 7.2 percentage points), and Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong (down 3.9 percentage points). Conversely, support for the Democratic Party increased in Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong (up 5.2 percentage points), and Daegu and Gyeongbuk (up 3.2 percentage points), but decreased in Seoul (down 9.0 percentage points), and Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (down 2.6 percentage points). The party support survey was conducted using an automated response method with 97% mobile and 3% landline calls. The response rate was 3.6% (confidence level 95%). For more details, please refer to the website of the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission.