[So Jongseop's Sokterview] Former Lawmaker Kim Kyungjin "Bipartisan Grand Compromise Requires Constitutional Amendment"

Conflict Will Intensify Regardless of Constitutional Court Ruling
President Yoon Will Be Powerless Even If He Returns
AI Budget Must Be Increased by At Least Tenfold

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Kyung-jin appeared on the Asia Economy YouTube channel 'AK Radio' at 9 a.m. on the 26th. Recently publishing 'AI Hegemony War' (Inmun Gonggan) and calling himself an 'AI promoter,' Kim has been actively appearing on various broadcasts and also working as a political panelist. We asked him about his changing perception of AI, his call for a major policy shift, and the reasons behind the delay in President Yoon Suk-yeol's Constitutional Court impeachment ruling.

Former lawmaker Kim Kyung-jin emphasized that bold investment in AI budgets is necessary.

<What is the content of AI Hegemony War?>

Last year, I published a book titled 'AI Changes Every Moment of Life' (Inmun Gonggan). It was a practical guide on how to use AI in daily life. This time, I wrote about how our world will change when AI is used, and what kind of shocks will come to jobs and how we should prepare for these shockwaves. Furthermore, I examined how the AI competition between the U.S. and China is currently progressing, and what the AI governance and shortcomings of South Korea are. Lastly, I argued that an international organization is necessary to maximize the positive use of AI and suppress its misuse.

It seems you focused on the macro and policy aspects.

No matter how excellent the capabilities are, if you don't use AI, you will inevitably fall behind in this era. The competitiveness of South Korea depends on how well the entire nation utilizes AI. Only when AI is properly integrated can we maintain a top global position, but if delayed, we could suddenly fall behind at some point. Going forward, the acceptance of AI will completely reshape a nation's overall competitiveness. If the entire population does not become accustomed to it, South Korea, currently ranked around 7th to 10th economically, could collapse in an instant.

How would you comprehensively evaluate South Korea's AI utilization capabilities and national preparedness for AI?

It's late. It's a big problem. There is no proper Korean AI. ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and others are based in the U.S. or China, but we don't have one. China graduates about 400,000 students annually from all computer-related departments. That's more than the total number of graduates from Korean universities. According to 2023 statistics, about 500 Korean AI experts go to the U.S. each year. They are paid around 1 billion KRW annually... It's serious.

Aren't we preparing to some extent? The government recently announced plans to purchase 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs).

Companies like Meta and Google in the U.S. buy AI GPUs worth about 10 trillion KRW at a time. But here, the Minister of Science and ICT talks about 1 trillion KRW, which they plan to secure through supplementary budgets. The state and companies need to unite and invest more than 10 trillion KRW annually, but there is no proper single decision-making. In fact, using AI is more urgent than facility investment. Education to encourage usage is necessary. Leaders in each field must normalize AI use. AI competitions related to work improvement should be held, with special promotions or prizes of about 5 million KRW.

What is the most important thing regarding AI right now?

Pouring in a lot of budget. The idea of creating a fund where companies and the government unite to develop AI is good, but it needs to be bolder. The government and companies should be able to pool about 20 trillion KRW annually to at least keep pace with the AI era led by the U.S.

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President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment ruling is taking considerably longer than those of former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye. What do you think is the reason?

Looking back, during President Roh Moo-hyun's time, most public sentiment was against impeachment. During Park Geun-hye's time, unlike now, public sentiment overwhelmingly favored impeachment. The current situation differs from those two cases, with pro- and anti-impeachment sentiments clashing. First, the case is floating on a sea of such public sentiment, and second, from a legal perspective, although I don't know what the outcome will be, President Yoon's side, the respondent, has made many defenses. They argue for dismissal on several grounds.

They are making numerous defenses regarding the main issues, even using facts such as Deputy Chief Hong Jang-won's statements or the Special Forces Commander's remarks, in a chaotic manner. The Constitutional Court must reach conclusions on each issue without the slightest error, so it inevitably takes a long time. This is common sense. I guess the constitutional justices, being human, must be worried about the nation's future and destiny.

This is different from the question of constitutional violation.

Because they are human. This is my guess and imagination. Among the constitutional justices, regardless of legal judgment, some might think, 'If we try to avoid this, this will happen.' They may have two conflicting thoughts simultaneously, wanting to approve but unable to do so... Based solely on constitutional theory and the events of the evening of December 3rd, the answer would be to approve. However, as I said earlier, there must be justices who think impeachment is necessary but cannot approve it. I feel similarly.

Former lawmaker Kim said that even if President Yoon returns to his duties, there is nothing the president can do unless he compromises with the opposition party and enters the constitutional amendment process.

If the impeachment ruling is dismissed or rejected and President Yoon returns to office, will the public accept it?

The progressive camp will not accept it. If that happens, the number of people clashing in Gwanghwamun from both sides will likely increase sharply. One thing is clear: even if President Yoon returns, unless he immediately compromises with the opposition and starts a constitutional amendment process, the president will have no power to act. Some citizens already harbor near-hatred toward the president. They rate him worse than common scoundrels, and even moderate citizens no longer trust him as before. Therefore, his actual political influence and power will inevitably be much less.

South Korea is structurally in a poor economic state and politically cornered. Unless a movement for compromise through constitutional amendment arises among the people, the problem will not be resolved. If Lee Jae-myung becomes president, will the conservative camp that took to the streets remain silent? Even those who did not come out will join, making things noisier.

What if President Yoon is removed from office?

The roles will completely reverse, and it will become even noisier. Whatever the situation, it is a political deadlock. Without grand compromise, there is no way out.