[Presidential Election Interview] Kim Jaeyeon: "Overwhelming Change of Government... Open to Candidate Unification"

Confirmed as Progressive Party Presidential Candidate
Concerns Over Lee Jaemyung's Policy Regression
Calls for Disbanding People Power Party Through Elections

Kim Jaeyeon, who has been confirmed as the presidential candidate for the Progressive Party, stated on April 21 regarding the possibility of unifying candidates with the Democratic Party and the Justice Party, "The most important premise is that we must prevent the return to power of forces behind the insurrection at all costs," adding, "It is right to keep all possibilities open."

Kim Jaeyeon, the progressive party's presidential candidate, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the National Assembly on April 21, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In an interview with Asia Economy held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Kim said, "The Progressive Party hopes to work together with the Democratic Party, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and the Justice Party," and added, "We are also making sincere proposals for solidarity to extra-parliamentary parties and civil society."

Regarding Lee Jaemyung's recent shift to the right, Kim asserted that any policy regression must be called out. Kim emphasized, "The Democratic Party's self-identification as centrist-conservative is, in my view, an admission of its true identity," and added, "If the party fails to heed the public's demands for reform, it must be criticized."

Kim also expressed opposition to the petition to dissolve the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party, saying, "It might feel satisfying to suggest we repay them as the Unified Progressive Party was treated in the past, but such a system is not appropriate for a democratic nation." Kim went on to urge, "Through the presidential and local elections, let the sovereign people dissolve the People Power Party through their judgment."

Kim Jaeyeon, the progressive party's presidential candidate, is giving an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly on April 21, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The following is a Q&A with Kim Jaeyeon.

-Why did you declare your candidacy at Gwanghwamun?

▲This presidential election is being made possible by the people, who fought against illegal martial law. This election must fully realize those aspirations, and I believed Gwanghwamun was the most symbolic place for that. I could have held a press conference alone, but I chose to declare my candidacy together with the many people who gathered in the square.

-What is the Progressive Party's goal in the June 3 presidential election?

▲Our slogan this time is "Settling the insurrection, building a Republic of Equality through the Solidarity of Light." It is not enough to simply remove President Yoon Sukyeol; we must restore South Korea, which has regressed repeatedly over the past three years. We need to unite the overwhelming majority of the people. This must be a change of government that fulfills the long-cherished reform tasks. Creating progressive change is the role of progressive politics.

-What is your position on constitutional amendment?

▲The next administration should hold the local elections and the constitutional amendment referendum simultaneously next year. The Progressive Party believes the '87 system is outdated and has been preparing and discussing this within the party. The core of constitutional amendment is not about dividing power among political forces. It must guarantee public participation through initiatives such as the national referendum and recall system.

-What are your main campaign pledges?

▲The first is the anti-discrimination law, which has been the most frequently mentioned issue during the process of the "Revolution of Light." For 18 years, it has failed to pass the threshold of the National Assembly. This is an abnormal situation and an example of the National Assembly's failure to fully reflect the public's demands. In this presidential election, I will seek consensus on the anti-discrimination law and raise our society's level of equality. Second, I will open the era of "five million union members" so that everyone who works can live in a more stable environment.

-The Democratic Party and former leader Lee Jaemyung avoid even mentioning the anti-discrimination law and feminism.

▲In fact, under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, these issues could be discussed in a much more open atmosphere. But now, our politics is becoming increasingly polarized, and at the core of this is hate-mongering. It is time for political maturity to overcome such extreme agitation.

-What is your view on Representative Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party and his anti-feminism?

▲Representative Lee's main weapon is his bad political calculation to gain a reflexive advantage through political provocation. Even before Yoon Sukyeol's presidency and former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun, Lee's remarks had already exposed many young people to the language of hatred.

-Currently, the Progressive Party's approval rating is around 1%. What are the causes and solutions?

▲The biggest reason is the shortcomings of the Progressive Party itself, but there is also a structural problem in the two-party system that must be overcome. It is virtually impossible for any party other than the Democratic Party or the People Power Party to receive more than 10% support in the current political landscape. If the "Roundtable for Ending the Insurrection and Defending Democratic Constitutionalism," which consists of five parties, can realize the relaxation of negotiation group requirements and the introduction of a runoff voting system, it will help ensure political diversity.