[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 ■ Director: 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. 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 100% Public Primaries"

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 this past year has seen even greater political polarization. The declaration of martial law was, of course, an extreme and reckless choice. Looking back at the situation a year ago, there was extreme political confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. Even after a year, our politics still seem to be heading toward hardline, confrontational extremes. The Democratic Party appears to be catering to its so-called hardcore supporters, known as "Gaeddal," while the People Power Party should reflect on its role in martial law, but instead, it seems to be justifying and defending martial law to appeal to the "Yoon Again" faction. Both parties are in a state of complete hostile symbiosis. 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: How do you view President Lee Jaemyung's assessment that "the rebellion is still ongoing and in the process of being suppressed"?

Kim Yongtae: I think the President used very provocative language. I paid particular attention to his mention of "righteous integration," but ultimately, it sounded like he was talking about uniting only the Democratic Party's base. In the last presidential election, former President Yoon's declaration of martial law was clearly judged by the public, which led to the birth of the Lee Jaemyung administration, did it not?

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 base, unlike previous governments. When I was the emergency committee chair, President Lee took his oath of office at the National Assembly and emphasized the meaning of the presidency, promising broad integration. However, for about six months, President Lee's actions have actually accelerated and intensified hardline politics. Regarding the special tribunal for rebellion, he said he would respect the will of the National Assembly, but in the end, it sounded as if he supported it. These statements seem to be aimed solely at the Democratic Party's base. It is very disappointing to see him resemble the mistakes of previous presidents.

The presidency represents all citizens, including those who support the People Power Party. Instead of driving the "Yoon Again" hardliners-those who still believe martial law was justified-into a corner, the President should persuade them and resolve differences through dialogue and compromise. But by talking about "suppression," he is dividing and provoking the public, which is very regrettable. He also hinted at designating December 3 as National Sovereignty Day, but before that, perhaps we should establish a Politician Reflection Day. I believe the President himself is one of the causes, as are politicians from both parties. Breaking this ruinous extremism is not just the responsibility of the People Power Party; the President, as head of state, also has a major role to play and must fulfill it.

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 leader, he should deliver a forward-looking, centrist message. However, Leader Jang issued a message similar to the one former President Yoon Seokyeol gave about martial law being a response to "parliamentary tyranny."

If This Continues, We Cannot Win the Local Elections; Seoul and Busan Will Be Difficult

Kim Yongtae: If things continue like this, we will not be able to win the local elections. There are still about six months left, so it may feel like there is plenty of time, but if the leadership maintains this stance, we will face extremely difficult elections in Seoul and Busan among the 17 metropolitan mayoral races next year. Those who have received nominations from our party will not remain silent toward the leadership.

Leader Jang, who became party leader with strong support from the hardline "Yoon Again" faction, probably could not ignore his relationship with those supporters. That is why he likely issued such a message, but it is very disappointing. As the leader of the People Power Party, the main opposition party, he is a leader who must consider not only the party and its camp but also the entire public. I believe the message he gave was highly inappropriate. The leadership must immediately and completely change its stance, even now.

So Jongseop: Do you believe there is still hope for Leader Jang to change his stance, or do you think it is no longer worth expecting?

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: Leader Jang 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, and I believe he is temporarily acting this way because of his supporters. The fact that the party leader cannot speak out due to pressure from supporters is, in a way, a cowardly and shameful act unbefitting a conservative politician.

So Jongseop: What is the tipping point for this judgment? We cannot just wait indefinitely with hope. When do you think the deadline is?

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

Kim Yongtae: I believe the deadline is mid-January. On January 21 next year, the first verdict for former Prime Minister Han Deoksoo will be delivered. If he is acquitted, it does not matter, but if he is found guilty, since the charge is essentially based on rebellion, I believe the People Power Party will have no choice left. That is why we do not have much time, and we must achieve political and party reform by mid-January. If we fail to do so, as I mentioned earlier, the leadership will be severely shaken by local election candidates.

Metropolitan mayoral candidates will immediately face the question of whether they can trust the leadership. If they cannot, the leadership structure will be greatly destabilized. If there is no change or shift in the leadership's position by mid-January, it will seriously damage the leadership's authority. Because leadership could collapse, I keep emphasizing the need for the leadership to change its position.

So Jongseop: Including yourself, 25 first- and second-term lawmakers gathered to discuss the need for an apology and severance from the "Yoon Again" faction, which seems to go beyond the so-called "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 apologized on behalf of all 107 lawmakers at a press conference, so some lawmakers hesitated to add their names. In reality, there are many more who sympathize. Continuing to deliver messages desired by the "Yoon Again" faction is populism. I believe that is wrong politics.

Despite the establishment of a special tribunal for rebellion and other absurdly unconstitutional and provocative actions,the reason many citizens do not support the People Power Party's messageis because of doubts about the party's stance on martial law. That is why it is so important for the leadership to address this. If the leadership cannot, then even if it's just 25 lawmakers, we need to apologize again to the public and promise to sever ties.

From the perspective of the sovereign people, the most infuriating thing about the People Power Party is this: when we were the ruling party, we defended former President Yoon's mistakes. But even as the opposition, we still seem to be defending him, unable to sever ties and showing a subordinate relationship, which will not only anger but also enrage the public. To be a viable alternative, at the very least, we need to clearly promise an apology for martial law and severance from 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 difficult situation, and there is internal controversy over the investigation into the party member bulletin board, which allegedly involved the family of former leader Han Donghoon. There are many arguments about this.

Kim Yongtae: There are many questions about the bulletin board controversy and the messages and actions of former leader Han and those involved. However, for the leadership and the ethics committee to reopen this case now is essentially a sign that they are paying attention to the hardline "Yoon Again" supporters. It can be interpreted as an attempt to embarrass former leader Han and use this politically, which is a disappointing judgment from a political standpoint. I believe the party leader must resolve this issue. I think the party leader should withdraw this matter.

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

Assemblyman Moon Jinseok Should Also Resign from His Floor Leadership Position

Kim Yongtae: I believe Assemblyman Moon Jinseok should also resign from his position as Deputy Floor Leader. Although Assemblyman Moon was the one exposed, I think he should also step down over this personnel solicitation issue. The Democratic Party spokesperson said this was not a crime, but there are aspects of personnel solicitation that could be considered criminal, so an investigation is needed.

First, there have been many claims that Kim Hyunji, the Presidential Aide, was a powerful figure, and this message revealed to the public that she truly was. Second, despite the public's demand for normalization of the country through the judgment of former President Yoon via martial law, this kind of personnel solicitation was happening behind the scenes in the Lee Jaemyung administration. The presidential office seemed to be involved in handing out positions to close associates, which will infuriate the public. Third, regarding the personnel committee, the Chief of Staff is the chair, so why was Kim Hyunji, who is unrelated, mentioned? This again proves that Kim Hyunji was indeed a powerful figure.

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 the establishment of a special tribunal for rebellion.

Kim Yongtae: I believe these are extremely provocative and unconstitutional actions. Usually, special prosecutors are requested by the opposition. The Democratic Party is the majority in the legislature, and the Lee Jaemyung administration controls the executive branch, yet they are demanding another special prosecutor because nothing has been uncovered. Hundreds of billions of won in taxpayer money and many prosecutors and investigators have already been invested in the special prosecutor, and the deadline was even extended. Yet, because nothing was uncovered, they are calling for another special prosecutor, which seems to be an attempt by the Democratic Party to frame the People Power Party as rebels for political gain. The special tribunal for rebellion is also a threat to democracy.

Creating a special court retroactively for specific cases while trials are already underway is extremely unconstitutional and dangerous. The crime of judicial distortion, for example, would allow them to issue warrants and determine guilt through judges they favor, which is a terrifying law and must be strongly opposed by the opposition.

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

Kim Kunhee Must Apologize and Reflect Even More

Kim Yongtae: Looking at the statements from Kim's side, they seem to suggest the sentence is harsher than her actual role. But given the public's anger, I cannot agree. She was the First Lady of the Republic of Korea. As First Lady, she should have cared for the socially disadvantaged and marginalized, reaching areas untouched by policy or politics, and given hope. However, Kim Kunhee's past actions went far beyond that, earning the nickname "V0" and making her the target of public condemnation. I don't think she has reflected enough. She must apologize and reflect on the sense of deprivation, disappointment, and anger she has caused so many citizens.

So Jongseop: So you believe she still has not come to her senses?

Kim Yongtae: That is my view.

So Jongseop: You have argued that local election candidates should be selected through 100% public primaries. Is this realistic?

Kim Yongtae: I believe this is the way for the People Power Party to regain public support. We are the opposition. We must become an open, voter-oriented party that holds 100% public primaries without any clause to prevent strategic voting. There are three main reasons I advocate for 100% open primaries. First, we must move toward becoming an open party. Second, we receive government subsidies. While party members are the owners of the party, so are the people. Although we operate the party with membership dues, we receive more than twice that amount in government subsidies. Third, from a strategic perspective, holding primaries without a strategic voting prevention clause would allow even those who support the Democratic Party or are in the progressive camp to vote for our candidates.

*Click the video to watch the full interview.

We Must Hold 100% Public Primaries to Become an Open Party

Lastly, although we are a conservative party, there are questions about whether we truly represent the entire conservative camp. In the last party leadership election, the conservative support poll (which included a strategic voting prevention clause) accounted for 20%, and the party member electoral college vote accounted for 80%, making it a 2:8 ratio. In the conservative poll with the prevention clause, Kim Moonsu led Jang Donghyuk by 20 percentage points. However, in the party member electoral college poll, Kim Moonsu trailed Jang Donghyuk by 5 percentage points. As a result, due to the 2:8 weighting, Jang Donghyuk became the party leader.

So our party member electoral college vote and the broader conservative public opinion are completely different. Can we really say we represent the conservative camp as a conservative party? This makes us wonder how far we are from public opinion. For this local election and future public office candidate selections, I believe holding 100% public opinion polls is the fastest way to become a governing party. The Democratic Party seeks to maximize the influence of its hardline base, but the People Power Party should move toward being an open party, not just cater to hardliners, if it wants to become a governing party.

So Jongseop: If the local elections were held tomorrow, what would your outlook be?

Kim Yongtae: Seoul and Busan will be difficult. If the People Power Party does not change, the elections will be extremely tough. Local elections held after a presidential election are heavily influenced by the administration. Also, considering external factors such as a possible summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping around April next year, which could affect the June local elections, there could be significant external difficulties as well.

So Jongseop: What is your view on potential alliances with the Reform Party ahead of the local elections?

Kim Yongtae: There are still six months left, and we need to develop strategies appropriate for the current situation. At this point, an alliance or merger with the Reform Party would have no synergistic effect. I am negative on this. The Reform Party must pursue its own innovation. Even if the People Power Party is at fault, if the Reform Party cannot attract rational moderates or conservatives, that is another problem for them. There can only be synergy after both parties demonstrate innovative competition. At this stage, there is no effect.

So Jongseop: Thank you for your comments.

Kim Yongtae: Thank you.