[Current Affairs Show] Kim Yongtae: "At This Rate, We Can't Win the Local Elections; Seoul and Busan Will Be Difficult Too"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily "So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show" (Monday to Friday, 4-5 PM)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Producer: Park Sumin

■ Guest: Assemblyman Kim Yongtae of the People Power Party (December 4)

"One Year Since Martial Law: The Two Major Parties Are in Hostile Symbiosis"

"The Tipping Point for Jang Donghyuk’s Change Is Mid-January. The Candidates Will Not Remain Silent."

"Jang Donghyuk Must Withdraw the Investigation Into the Party Member Bulletin Board Controversy"

"Let’s Select Local Election Candidates Through a 100% National Primary"

So Jongseop: Assemblyman Kim, thank you for joining us despite your busy schedule.

Kim Yongtae: Hello, this is Kim Yongtae from Pocheon and Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

So Jongseop: It has been one year since martial law was declared. Overall, how would you summarize the past year?

Over the Past Year, Political Polarization Has Intensified. The Two Parties Are in Hostile Symbiosis.

Kim Yongtae: I believe the past year has seen even greater political polarization. Martial law was, of course, an extreme and reckless choice. Looking back at the situation a year ago, wasn’t there extreme political confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties? Even after a year, our politics still seem to be heading toward extreme confrontation. The Democratic Party is closely watching the so-called “Gaeddal” hardline supporters, while the People Power Party should reflect on its actions regarding martial law, but instead, it is justifying and defending martial law for the sake of the “Yoon Again” hardliners. I see the two parties as being in a completely hostile symbiotic relationship. I believe the conservative party must break this ruinous extreme politics.

Kim Yongtae, a member of the People Power Party, appeared on the program "So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show" at The Asia Business Daily headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 4th for an interview. Photo by Jo Yongjun

So Jongseop: What do you think about President Lee Jaemyung’s assessment that “the rebellion is still ongoing and is in the process of being suppressed”?

Kim Yongtae: I think the President used extremely provocative language. Among his statements, I paid attention to the phrase “righteous integration,” but in the end, it sounds like he wants to unite only the Democratic Party’s supporters. In the last presidential election, former President Yoon was clearly judged by the people for declaring martial law, which led to the birth of the Lee Jaemyung administration, didn’t it?

President Lee Jaemyung Is Resembling the Mistakes of Past Presidents

I had hoped that the Lee Jaemyung administration would pursue politics for national unity, not just for its own base, something previous administrations failed to do. When I was interim leader, President Lee Jaemyung took the oath of office at the National Assembly, emphasizing the meaning of the presidency and promising broad integration. However, in reality, for about six months, President Lee Jaemyung’s actions have actually accelerated and intensified confrontational politics. Although he said he would respect the will of the National Assembly regarding the special tribunal for rebellion, it ultimately sounded like he supported it. These actions make it seem as if the President is speaking only for the Democratic Party’s supporters. It’s disappointing to see him resemble the mistakes of past presidents.

The presidency represents not only those who support the People Power Party but all citizens. Rather than driving the “Yoon Again” hardliners-those who still believe martial law was justified-into a corner, the President should directly persuade them and resolve differences through dialogue and compromise. Instead, by talking about “suppression,” he is dividing and provoking the public, which is very unfortunate. He also hinted at designating December 3 as National Sovereignty Day, but before that, perhaps we should establish a Politicians’ Day of Reflection. I believe the President is one of the causes of the current situation, as are politicians from both parties. It should not be only the People Power Party striving to break this ruinous extremism; the President, as the head of state, has a major role to play and must fulfill that responsibility.

So Jongseop: Within the People Power Party, many have said that, since it has been a year since martial law and 100 days since Jang Donghyuk became party leader, he should issue forward-looking, centrist messages. However, Jang’s message was similar to former President Yoon Seokyeol’s, justifying martial law as a response to “parliamentary tyranny.”

If Things Continue Like This, We Cannot Win the Local Elections-Seoul and Busan Will Be Difficult

Kim Yongtae: If things continue like this, I don’t think we can win the local elections. There are about six months left until the local elections, so it may feel like there’s still time, but if the leadership maintains this stance, we will face very tough races in Seoul and Busan, two of the 17 metropolitan mayoral elections next year. I don’t think our party’s candidates will remain silent toward the leadership.

Jang Donghyuk became party leader with strong support from the hardline “Yoon Again” base, so he probably feels he cannot ignore their expectations. That’s likely why he sent such a message, but it’s very disappointing. Isn’t he the leader of the People Power Party? As the leader of the main opposition party, he must consider not only the party and the conservative camp but the entire nation. I believe the message he sent was highly inappropriate. The leadership must change its stance immediately.

So Jongseop: Do you believe there is still hope for Jang Donghyuk to change his position, or is it now unrealistic to expect that?

Assemblyman Kim Yongtae said, "If CEO Jang Donghyuk does not change, the candidates for local elections will not remain silent." Photo by Jo Yongjun

Kim Yongtae: Jang Donghyuk is one of the 18 People Power Party lawmakers who attended the vote to lift martial law. Therefore, I don’t think his views have changed; he is likely making decisions based on the expectations of his supporters. For a party leader to be unable to speak out because of pressure from his base is, in a way, cowardly and unbecoming of a conservative politician.

So Jongseop: What is the tipping point for this judgment? We can’t just keep waiting with hope. When do you think it will be?

If There Is No Change by Mid-January, Leadership May Collapse

Kim Yongtae: I believe the tipping point is mid-January. On January 21 next year, the first verdict will be delivered for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo. If he is acquitted, it won’t matter, but if he is convicted, since the charges are based on rebellion, our party will have no other options. That means we don’t have much time, and we must achieve political and party reform by mid-January. If we fail, as I mentioned earlier, the leadership will face major challenges from local election candidates.

Metropolitan mayoral candidates will immediately question whether they can trust the leadership. If they cannot, the leadership will be severely shaken. If there is no change or shift in the leadership’s position by mid-January, the leadership will suffer a serious blow. It could even collapse, so I keep emphasizing that the leadership must change its position.

So Jongseop: You and 25 other first- and second-term lawmakers gathered to call for an apology and a break with the “Yoon Again” faction, which seems to go beyond the “pro-Han Donghoon” group.

Representative Kim said, "There are more lawmakers who sympathize with the apology for martial law and the severance with former President Yoon and his wife than is known." Photo by Jo Yongjun

Kim Yongtae: Even more lawmakers agreed on the need for an apology. Floor Leader Song Wonseok held a press conference and apologized on behalf of all 107 lawmakers, so some were hesitant to add their names, but in reality, there are many more who sympathize. Continuing to send messages that the “Yoon Again” faction wants is populism. That is misguided politics.

Even though the special tribunal for rebellion and other actions are extremely provocative and unconstitutional,many citizens do not support the People Power Party’s messagebecause they are skeptical about the party’s stance on martial law. That’s why it is crucial for the leadership to address this. If the leadership cannot do it, then at least the 25 lawmakers should apologize again and promise to sever ties with the “Yoon Again” faction.

From the perspective of the sovereign people, this is the most infuriating aspect of the People Power Party: when we were the ruling party, we defended former President Yoon’s mistakes, and even now as the opposition, we still seem to defend and remain subordinate to him. This not only frustrates but angers the people. To be a party that can serve as a check, we must at least clearly apologize for martial law and promise to break with former President Yoon and his wife.

Jang Donghyuk Must Withdraw the Party Member Bulletin Board Controversy

So Jongseop: The People Power Party is in a tough situation, and internally, there is debate over the investigation into the party member bulletin board controversy involving former leader Han Donghoon’s family.

Kim Yongtae: There are many unanswered questions about the bulletin board controversy and the messages and actions of those involved, including former leader Han. However, for the leadership and the ethics committee to reopen the issue now is essentially a sign that they are catering to the hardline “Yoon Again” supporters. It could also be interpreted as an attempt to embarrass former leader Han and use the issue politically, which is a regrettable decision. I believe the party leader should resolve this issue. The party leader must withdraw the investigation.

So Jongseop: There is controversy over the messages exchanged between Assemblyman Moon Jinseok and Presidential Secretary Kim Namguk. Kim Namguk has resigned. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Assemblyman Moon Jinseok Should Also Resign as Deputy Floor Leader

Kim Yongtae: I believe Assemblyman Moon Jinseok should also resign as deputy floor leader. He was the one exposed, but he should also step down over the personnel solicitation issue. The Democratic Party spokesperson said this is not a crime, but personnel solicitation can be a criminal matter, so it needs to be investigated.

First, there has been much talk about Chief of Staff Kim Hyunji’s influence, and these messages revealed to the public that she is indeed powerful. Second, even though the Lee Jaemyung administration was born out of the public’s desire to restore normalcy after judging former President Yoon through martial law, there were still personnel solicitations happening behind the scenes. The fact that the presidential office was involved in handing out positions to close associates is infuriating to the public. Third, regarding the personnel committee, the chief of staff is the chair, so why was Kim Hyunji, who is not related, mentioned? This further proves her influence.

Establishing a Special Tribunal for Rebellion Is Provocative and Unconstitutional

So Jongseop: The Democratic Party is rapidly pushing for so-called “judicial reform,” including a comprehensive special prosecutor and a special tribunal for rebellion.

Kim Yongtae: I see this as extremely provocative and unconstitutional. Usually, special prosecutors are demanded by the opposition. The Democratic Party controls the legislature, and the Lee Jaemyung administration controls the executive, so demanding another special prosecutor after failing to uncover anything makes no sense. Hundreds of billions of won in taxpayer money and many prosecutors and investigators were put into the special prosecutor’s office, and the deadline was even extended. Yet, after failing to find anything, demanding another special prosecutor is just an attempt by the Democratic Party to frame the People Power Party as rebels for political gain. As for the special tribunal for rebellion, this is a crisis for democracy.

Even though trials are already underway, suddenly creating a special tribunal for certain cases retroactively is highly unconstitutional and dangerous. The so-called “crime of judicial distortion” law would allow them to issue warrants and determine guilt through judges they favor, which is a very frightening law and must be strongly opposed by the opposition.

So Jongseop: The Min Joonggi special prosecutor team has requested a 15-year prison sentence for Kim Keonhee.

Kim Keonhee Must Apologize and Reflect Even More

Kim Yongtae: According to statements from Kim Keonhee’s side, she suggested that the sentence was harsher than her role warranted, but given the public’s anger, I cannot agree. She was the First Lady of Korea. The First Lady should care for the socially disadvantaged and marginalized-those neglected by policy and politics-and offer hope. However, Kim Keonhee’s actions went far beyond that, to the point where she was called “V0” and became the target of public criticism. I wonder if she has truly reflected. She must apologize and reflect on the sense of deprivation, disappointment, and anger she caused so many people.

So Jongseop: So you believe she still hasn’t come to her senses.

Kim Yongtae: That’s what I think.

So Jongseop: You have argued for selecting local election candidates through a 100% national primary. Is this realistic?

Kim Yongtae: I believe this is how the People Power Party can regain the public’s trust. We are the opposition. We must become an open, voter-oriented party that holds a 100% national primary without a clause to prevent strategic voting. There are three main reasons I advocate for a 100% open primary. First, we must become an open party. Second, we receive government subsidies. The party belongs to its members, but also to the public. While we operate on membership dues, we receive more than twice as much in government subsidies. Third, from a strategic standpoint, if we hold a primary without a strategic voting prevention clause, even Democratic Party or progressive supporters can vote for People Power Party candidates.

*Click the video to watch the full interview.

We Must Become an Open Party Through a 100% National Primary

Lastly, although we are a conservative party, can we really represent the entire conservative camp? In the last party leadership election, we conducted a conservative supporter poll-which included a strategic voting prevention clause-accounting for 20%, and a party member vote accounting for 80%, making it a 2:8 ratio. In the conservative supporter poll, Kim Moonsoo led Jang Donghyuk by 20 percentage points. However, in the party member poll, Kim Moonsoo trailed Jang Donghyuk by 5 percentage points. Thus, with the 2:8 weighting, Jang Donghyuk became party leader.

So, when the results of the party member vote are the opposite of the broader conservative public opinion, can we really say we represent the conservative camp? The greater the gap between public opinion and the party, the more we must rely on a 100% public opinion poll to select candidates for public office in the upcoming local elections. While the Democratic Party seeks to maximize the influence of its hardline base, the People Power Party must become an open party to become a viable governing party.

So Jongseop: If the local elections were held tomorrow, what would you expect?

Kim Yongtae: It would be difficult even in Seoul and Busan. If the People Power Party does not change, the elections will be extremely challenging. Local elections held after a presidential election are heavily influenced by the administration. Considering that there may be a summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping around April next year, which could affect the June local elections, there are also significant external factors to consider.

So Jongseop: What are your thoughts on a possible alliance with the Reform New Party ahead of the local elections?

Kim Yongtae: There are still six months left, and we need to develop strategies suited to the current situation. At this point, an alliance or merger with the Reform New Party would not generate synergy. I am negative about it. The Reform New Party must achieve its own innovation. Even if the People Power Party falters, if the Reform New Party cannot attract rational moderates or conservative supporters, that is also a problem for them. Both parties must demonstrate innovative competition before any alliance can be effective. For now, it would not be effective.

So Jongseop: Thank you for your comments.

Kim Yongtae: Thank you.