Rep. Kim Han-kyu: "Supplementary Investigation Not Solution for Officer Boo Case... Regrettable Expression by Kim Min-seok and Public Criticism by Jung Cheong-rae"

- Jeju constituency mood? Concerns over "City of Crime" stigma
- Absolute number of crimes in Jeju is low, hope people do not misunderstand
- Jang Dong-hyeok is attacking Jeju Island by exploiting anti-Chinese sentiment
- Police cover-up case: supplementary investigation is not the solution
- No reconsideration of supplementary investigative authority; must find other oversight measures
- Special counsel on fabricated indictment? Public support first; not the right timing yet
- Facts regarding fabricated indictment must first be clearly verified
- Regret over Kim Min-seok's wording in keynote speech
- Jung Cheong-rae's "microphone dictatorship"? Did it need to be criticized publicly?
- Key politicians should resolve issues behind the scenes
- Kim's path? Jung's path? Now is the time to expand both left and right
- Not about poaching conservative politicians, but broadening target voters

■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5MHz 7:00 – 9:00)

■ Date: August 28, 2026 (Fri)

■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun

■ Guest: Rep. Kim Han-kyu, Democratic Party of Korea (Jeju City B)

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Following the revelation that police falsely closed missing persons cases, various groundless rumors have been spreading about Jeju, the island of peace. We connect by phone with Representative Kim Han-kyu of the Democratic Party of Korea, whose constituency is Jeju City B, to discuss the issue. Hello, Representative.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Hello. I am Kim Han-kyu.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Representative, since your constituency is Jeju City B, you must be very worried. You visited Jeju Island yesterday, didn't you?

[Kim Han-kyu]: I have been traveling back and forth to Jeju frequently since the incident.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: How is the atmosphere there right now?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Fortunately, attorney, I appreciate that you predefined them as groundless rumors. An increasing number of people are growing worried about public safety in Jeju, which makes people in Jeju feel very upset.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Of course, our Jeju residents are also quite dissatisfied with why the police handled the case this way, but there are some people, like People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok, who distort the facts and speak as if Jeju were literally a "City of Crime," so residents view them with discomfort.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: I truly hope the political sphere refrains from amplifying anxiety about Jeju's public safety, but I am worried because Representative Jang is scheduled to visit Jeju today.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: First, since you mentioned Representative Jang Dong-hyeok, what Representative Jang wrote on Facebook is as follows: "Jeju Island has literally become a city of crime due to visa-free, undocumented Chinese nationals. Its crime rate ranks first in the nation, and its perceived public safety score ranks dead last in the nation. Foreign crimes are surging, and 67% of foreign crime suspects are Chinese nationals." He wrote this, and looking at several media reports, there are many tourists in Jeju, many people living there for a month, and many outsiders. So there are reports that the crime rate is rising. Jeju is supposed to be the island of peace, but...

[Kim Han-kyu]: But that is not true at all. The absolute number of crimes is low. This is because Jeju Island's population is overwhelmingly small at 660,000. Compared to the Seoul metropolitan area, such as Seoul or Gyeonggi with populations reaching 10 million, it is overwhelmingly small. Because the statistical rate itself is calculated based on the number of crimes per 100,000 people, this occurs due to tourists and short-term residents who have not transferred their resident registration, as you mentioned. About 13 million tourists visit Jeju Island a year. Twenty times the population of Jeju Island visits, so this is a statistical illusion. Looking at basic local governments, for example, the places with the highest crime rates are Jung-gu in Busan, Jung-gu in Seoul, Jongno-gu, Jung-gu in Daegu, and Gangnam-gu and Yongsan-gu in Seoul. Seoul's Jung-gu and Busan have twice the rate of Jeju City—are these scary places? No. It is simply an issue caused by high floating populations.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Because Jeju Island has a population of only 660,000, the denominator used for division is small; I hope people recognize that the absolute number of crimes is quite low.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: People also mention Chinese nationals, but the crime rate of Chinese nationals is 1.5% in Jeju and 1.3% nationwide, which is not much of a difference. Therefore, I hope Representative Jang Dong-hyeok realizes that he is attacking Jeju Island, a part of our nation, politically by exploiting anti-Chinese sentiment.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Let's talk about another People Power Party lawmaker. Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party stated that Jeju police requested an Interpol Yellow Notice while searching for the victim, Mr. Jang. Regarding this, he said, "A Yellow Notice is issued when there is a possibility that the victim was taken abroad, and it reflects the current public safety situation in Jeju Island." How do you view this claim?

[Kim Han-kyu]: That is an absurd claim. Looking at Rep. Joo Jin-woo's social media, he seems to continue doing politics through anti-Chinese sentiment. Currently, there are 12 Interpol Yellow Notices in our country. There is also a Yellow Notice for a person who went missing in Busan, where Rep. Joo Jin-woo's constituency is located.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that so?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Then is Busan also an area swept up in Chinese crime and foreign crime? Of course not. Issuing the Yellow Notice this time was meant to do their best in the search by considering even the possibility of going abroad because this became an issue; Yellow Notices are not normally issued for missing persons cases occurring in Jeju. So if you check the facts, the claim that only Jeju has a lot of Chinese crime or issues many Yellow Notices is completely untrue.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Representative, what people are most curious about right now is whether Mr. Jang—police interim investigation findings, or whatever we should call it, say police currently view it as suicide—whether that is correct. Furthermore, why Senior Police Officer Boo committed such an absurd act. This is what police are currently investigating.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: But a problem occurred within the police, and the police are investigating it. Can we trust the results of this investigation?

[Kim Han-kyu]: The police themselves are not trying to conceal Senior Police Officer Boo's wrongdoing regarding this case.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that so?

[Kim Han-kyu]: That is something that cannot even be concealed, and it has been clearly verified that he covered it up. There is no intention at all to conceal the cover-up itself, and under current criminal justice, if the police investigation cannot be trusted, the prosecution can also conduct a supplementary investigation before indictment, can it not?

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Because it is not yet October.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes. Although Senior Police Officer Boo's conduct was wrong, the police have no intention to shield his actions, and because the entire public, including myself, is watching the outcome of the case handling, I believe there is no such concern. I am also not in a position to judge whether it was suicide or homicide, so I believe it is right to investigate with all possibilities open.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: What I am saying is that there is no need to view missing persons cases occurring in Jeju under the assumption that they are all major crimes or homicides.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. We should not commit the fallacy of hasty generalization.

[Kim Han-kyu]: People should feel free to visit Jeju often. It is not a dangerous place at all. If it were, Jeju residents would be saying they feel unsafe, but the residents are not anxious themselves; rather, their mood is one of concern that citizens might misunderstand. If the crime rate were truly high, we would be the ones most worried.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: For now, the public's anxiety is not so much "Jeju is dangerous," but rather, "Can we trust the police?" Because although this is not an investigation issue—it is the pre-investigation stage, so it is not directly related to supplementary investigative authority or such. But the police failed to properly handle a single missing persons case. Yet starting in October, police are said to handle everything without prosecution oversight, control, or supplementary investigations; can we trust this? If they cover up a single missing persons case, won't investigations be the same? It is true that concerns exist. How do you plan to create a solution for this?

[Kim Han-kyu]: I understand why the public feels anxious. However, we should find a solution through the best means, and I do not think supplementary investigative authority or direct investigations by prosecutors are the most appropriate methods. Although the public may not know yet, a new Major Crimes Investigation Agency is being established, isn't it? For major crimes, a significant number of former prosecutors and prosecution investigators will transfer to conduct investigations, so people with investigative experience will handle important investigations. Also, through checks and balances between the police and the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, we need to ensure problems such as covering up cases do not occur. As people outside mention, control is also necessary—both internal police control and external control. Regarding such measures, we are continuing to develop improvement plans by taking into account proposals presented by the political sphere, experts, and the general public.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: However, because the broad direction for setting authority among investigative agencies has already been determined, our view is that it is desirable to prepare control measures for the police within that framework.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Regarding the issue of supplementary investigative authority, I understand that the President has also publicly expressed his personal view that allowing and retaining it to some extent is appropriate. Problems are arising anyway, such as the case of Mr. Jang Yoon-gi.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: It would be good if they do not occur in the future, but we cannot rule out the possibility that they will. Is there no possibility or plan at all to revise this? Is the possibility zero?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Re-recognizing supplementary investigative authority itself before October 2 is not something we are reviewing. Even now, not much time is left, so we are contemplating presidential decrees, investigative structures, and personnel reallocations in the way best suited to the current situation, and even that alone is progressing very tightly. As I mentioned earlier, we must be able to find sufficient control measures even without supplementary investigative authority, and that is what we are doing.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. We will keep watching this situation a bit more. Representative, let's talk about the workshop. The Democratic Party's workshop to prepare for the regular National Assembly session has been underway at a hotel in Incheon since yesterday until today. First of all, you serve as the Senior Vice Floor Leader for Policy, right?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: You will start by organizing key legislative tasks. What bills will the Democratic Party focus on most during this regular session of the National Assembly?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Let me first state the principle that we will take care of people's livelihoods and the economy. Currently, there are three mega-projects: semiconductors, Physical AI, and AI data centers. This means the government will directly step in to pursue industrial policies that were not conducted in the past. Right now, we are attempting to process related bills with the highest priority on these three mega-projects. There are many related bills, such as designating mega special zones and the Act on Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Semiconductor Industry. We believe this will ultimately revive local economies and empower our flagship companies like Samsung and SK Hynix.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Another point is that additional tax revenue is expected to occur for several years due to semiconductors; we plan to establish a Future Response Fund to prepare for the future rather than spending it immediately, and there are various related bills. So we are taking care of these two main areas. Yesterday, government officials attended, and our party's Policy Committee organized detailed legislative tasks, but beyond that, we have the goal of passing most of the national policy agenda bills during this regular session.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Representative, as you know, the media's biggest interest is...

[Kim Han-kyu]: Jung Cheong-rae and Kim Min-seok?

[Kim Tae-hyun]: There is one more: the Special Counsel Bill on Fabricated Indictments.

[Kim Han-kyu]: The Special Counsel Bill on Fabricated Indictments right now...

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Will you process it?

[Kim Han-kyu]: No. We are not reviewing such a matter right now.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that so?

[Kim Han-kyu]: First, I believe taking care of people's livelihoods must take priority. There are members within the party who say a special counsel bill on fabricated indictments is needed. However, everything has its timing, and we must also look at public opinion. Currently, it seems there are not many citizens who feel a special counsel bill on fabricated indictments is immediately necessary. Therefore, if we truly deem it necessary, I believe the process of gaining such public support must come first. We believe it is not the right timing yet.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Then, Representative, are you opposed, or are you reserving judgment?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Regarding this matter, I believe the facts surrounding fabricated indictments need to be verified a bit more clearly first.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. I will summarize it as a reserved stance.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: The topic people are most curious about is the clash between former Representative Jung Cheong-rae and Party Leader Kim Min-seok, which you also mentioned first. Representative, how should we view this? That is, I fully understand Party Leader Kim Min-seok explaining to lawmakers that the moderate expansion line he advocates and pursues is correct, especially since he received the choice of party members based on that platform.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: But was it really necessary to bring up former Representative Jung Cheong-rae's name and say that path was wrong? It seems it won't be easy to become "one team" under these circumstances, because Representative Jung immediately reacted with anger.

[Kim Han-kyu]: However, Party Leader Kim Min-seok immediately posted a message on social media asking for understanding if he caused any discomfort. As you said, although he is our party leader, I also have some regrets regarding the phrasing.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: On the other hand, former Representative Jung Cheong-rae could have spoken about his regret directly, but when he speaks publicly on social media like this... With the President's approval ratings and the party's support ratings not being in a position where we can rest easy, I wish the party's key politicians would resolve these issues beneath the surface for the sake of the party.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Through the floor workshop, we are preparing to deliver a clear message to the public that we will take care of people's livelihoods for national tasks, but all media attention is focused on this matter, which is very regrettable.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Still, I have to ask. You must make a choice as well: strengthening the partisan base versus moderate expansion, former Representative Jung Cheong-rae's line versus Party Leader Kim Min-seok's line. Which side do you support?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Considering our current approval ratings, I believe it is right for the party to move inclusively. I perceive that unless we expand both left and right, it will be dangerous for any potential Seoul mayoral by-elections or general elections next year.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Then, Representative, you view the line of structural majority, expansion, and New Lee Jae-myung advocated by Party Leader Kim Min-seok and the President as correct for now, right?

[Kim Han-kyu]: Yes. But I hope people do not misunderstand: that does not mean we plan to poach conservative politicians. The intention is that we should broaden our target demographic so that citizens with those leanings can also feel that the Democratic Party is better than the People Power Party.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood, Representative. We will conclude today's interview here. This has been Representative Kim Han-kyu of the Democratic Party of Korea. Thank you.

[Kim Han-kyu]: Thank you.

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