KOR- Did President Lee know about the tax reform in advance? Sold house stake beforehand
- Completely opposite to campaign promises... catching up to Moon administration's blunders
- Veto on Criminal Procedure Act? Benefit goes to Lee with case dismissals... unlikely to exercise veto
- Must restore criminal justice system by winning a majority in the 2028 general election
- Reason PPP approval ratings aren't rising is leadership... the messenger is the problem
- Jang Dong-hyuk's reform plan won't move anyone... real reform is making a personal decision to step down
- Kwon Young-jin's wrongdoing doesn't warrant expulsion... targeted for criticizing Rep. Jang
- Ethics Committee's authority and credibility collapsed... used as a tool to consolidate leadership power
- Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Seung-min meeting gives hope to a party lacking a practical leader
■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00–9:00 AM)
■ Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Rep. Kim Yong-tae (People Power Party)
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Following the passage of the Democratic Party-led Criminal Procedure Act amendment, the People Power Party (PPP) is asking President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto. How should the PPP handle its struggle against the ruling party moving forward, and how should it resolve its complex internal party issues? Joining us is Representative Kim Yong-tae of the People Power Party, a former member of the PPP Emergency Response Committee and part of the reformist group 'Alternatives and Future.' Hello.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Hello, I am Kim Yong-tae representing Pocheon and Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Did I introduce you well?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Thank you.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Well, it's all true.
[Kim Yong-tae]: It has been so long since I last saw you. Haven't you been on vacation?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Vacation? I go in the winter. Are you not taking one, Assemblyman?
[Kim Yong-tae]: It is just so hot. Yesterday and today have been extremely hot.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: That's true. It must be scorching in your constituency of Pocheon and Gapyeong as well.
[Kim Yong-tae]: There are many elderly residents there, so I am very worried about potential heat-related incidents in this intense heatwave.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: There are many rice paddies there and many elderly people. Moving on, Assemblyman, let's talk about this first. The tax reform proposal came out yesterday. The government describes it as 'normalization,' while the opposition calls it a 'tax hike.' How did you see it? Could you give us your overall evaluation?
[Kim Yong-tae]: First of all, isn't the fact that the Democratic Party cannot even formulate an official stance on this the answer itself? When talking with people from the Democratic Party, especially those associated with the capital region, they seem panicked. They are asking whether the party has given up on elections altogether. The tax reform proposal is so complex, and some people are saying, "If you hold onto a home, you pay property tax; if you sell it, you pay capital gains tax. What are we supposed to do?"
[Kim Tae-hyun]: And acquisition tax when buying.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Yes. And even the President, as if he knew this information in advance, sold his own share of property beforehand. He even did so in a very unusual manner by setting up a seller's mortgage lien. I think the government looks down on the public far too lightly.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But actually, during the presidential campaign, the President said he would not use taxes to control real estate prices. Yet now, the tax burden has gone up. Why do you think this happened?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I believe the President is doing the exact opposite of his presidential campaign real estate promises. Just as you mentioned, he said he would expand supply, but he hasn't even properly addressed the supply side. He said he would ease lending regulations, but he isn't doing that either. So he is going in completely the opposite direction. It feels like he is literally catching up to the Moon Jae-in administration's real estate missteps at the speed of light.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: In any case, you also expect public sentiment in the capital area, especially in the Han River Belt in Seoul, to shift in favor of the People Power Party, right?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I think so. I believe public sentiment regarding real estate will turn into anger toward the government and the ruling party.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I see. Let's look at this next. The Criminal Procedure Act amendment passed the National Assembly, and the People Power Party held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in front of the Presidential Office, calling on the President to exercise his veto. Do you also believe that, as a matter of principle, the President should exercise a veto?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Yes, I do. I had a meal with corporate owners yesterday, and their expression was like this: "To be honest, we are fine. If the police monopolize everything, frankly, the privileged class benefits. But we are worried about ordinary citizens and the truly vulnerable." Their words themselves clearly attest to the current situation.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So it means the harm will ultimately fall on ordinary working-class citizens, victims, and the vulnerable. Realistically, do you think the President will exercise his veto? You said he should as a matter of principle, but practically speaking?
[Kim Yong-tae]: But grounds for dismissal of prosecution were unusually and hastily added, weren't they? In the end, as our Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik pointed out, wasn't there a backroom deal between the President and the ruling party? Looking at it that way seems rational.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Kim Yong-tae]: In fact, regarding the abolition of supplementary investigative authority, the President's stance was described as a political slogan. So the President himself likely recognizes that this is a sort of political move for the Democratic Party's national convention—that is, for the hardline members of the Democratic Party. However, because it ended up tied to the dismissal of prosecution related to his own cases, I think exercising a veto will realistically be difficult. In the end, the President himself will benefit.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Saying the President will benefit means that adding grounds for the dismissal of prosecution will work to his advantage.
[Kim Yong-tae]: That is how everyone views it.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But as you said, he probably won't exercise a veto. Then the only remaining tool the People Power Party can use is filing a constitutional appeal, but other than that, there is practically no way to block it, right?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Realistically, in the current situation,
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Other than winning the general election.
[Kim Yong-tae]: That's right. Just as I said during the law to increase Supreme Court justices and the criminal law distortion bill, it is the same with this. Ultimately, to correct these things, I believe we must win a majority of seats in the 2028 general election. Securing a majority to restore the criminal justice system—which the current government and ruling party have turned into a mess—back to its original state is what matters most. That is why I keep emphasizing that internal reform is crucial so we can secure that majority in the 2028 general election.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So ultimately, the party must win the general election, which would also make the next presidential election easier. But Assemblyman, the ruling camp is currently experiencing internal division due to its national convention. Real estate is bad, stocks performed very poorly in July, and public opinion on the Criminal Procedure Act amendment isn't favorable either. Under these conditions, the ruling party's approval rating should plunge while the People Power Party's approval rating surges, right?
[Kim Yong-tae]: That's right. Naturally, in the current situation, the People Power Party's approval rating should be going up.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But why isn't it?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Even if we make mistakes, as you pointed out, the People Power Party should benefit from the government and ruling party's blunders. One of the reasons it isn't going up right now lies squarely with our party leadership, in my view. My constituency of Pocheon and Gapyeong is one of the areas with strong support for the People Power Party, with around 500 village-level units. Recently, as I visited villages during the summer heat period, the heads of senior centers and village heads offered me a lot of criticism regarding our party leadership.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: That is a place with many strong People Power Party supporters.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Exactly. Even among the village heads, senior center presidents, and elderly mothers and fathers there, I haven't met a single person who supports our party leadership. I think that reflects the current mindset of conservative voters, and that is being reflected in the approval ratings. No matter how much the party leadership goes to the Presidential Office to hold an on-site Supreme Council meeting and attempts to convey public sentiment opposing the abolition of supplementary investigative authority, people ultimately feel there is a problem with the messenger. That makes it difficult for these actions to translate into higher approval ratings.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So ultimately, no matter how much you criticize the government or say good things that an opposition party should say to keep the government in check, what Representative Jang Dong-hyuk and the Supreme Council members say just doesn't resonate with the public.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Exactly. A member of our party once quoted the saying about "the pot calling the kettle black." That was a spot-on observation.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Then what needs to be done? What should happen?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I think everyone knows. What we need to do right now—I believe our party members and lawmakers all know.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that answer a leadership change?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Well, I think that would be the best option, though there may be practical difficulties. However, Representative Jang Dong-hyuk must also be sincere in his own way. Shouldn't he make a decision on what is truly the right path for the country and the party? Holding onto his position might seem good for him personally in the short term, but it brings no benefit to the conservative camp or the country as a whole. So I think the moment is coming for him to make a sacrificial decision.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So you are telling him to voluntarily step down.
[Kim Yong-tae]: I believe it is time for a decision for the sake of the country and the party.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You mean stepping down now would be good for the party, good for the country, and ultimately good for himself as well, right?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I think so. Because maintaining the current status quo—while he might think it benefits him in the short term—is actually a path to self-destruction in the long term. For the leader himself, for the party, and for the country. The government and ruling party are ruining this country, yet the opposition failing to act like a proper opposition is certainly not the right way to serve the people.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But Assemblyman, far from resigning, he visits Olympic Park every day. And about 15 lawmakers went there recently. Of course, looking at the list, except for one or two, most of them hold party posts under Jang Dong-hyuk's leadership.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Yes.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: From Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's perspective, he must feel he is gaining momentum. His supporters are there, the government is making blunders, and now over a dozen lawmakers are standing by him when previously there were none. Isn't that why he isn't resigning and is pushing forward?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I actually just learned that 15 lawmakers went there. But even if they went, I don't think it was to empower the leadership. Rather, our supporters have been holding out at Olympic Park for a long time on their own, so the lawmakers went to express gratitude to them. I don't view it as backing the party leadership. We should look at it differently.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Some commentators even say the "energy of the universe" is siding with Representative Jang Dong-hyuk, because favorable developments keep happening for him personally. He is reportedly releasing a reform plan for his one-year anniversary in office. Announcing a reform plan implies he won't resign and intends to push forward with this reform plan.
[Kim Yong-tae]: I don't know what kind of reform plan Representative Jang Dong-hyuk will put forward, but whatever it is, will the public or party members be moved by it? I think it is unlikely to move them. True reform would be making a personal decision to step down, which would genuinely surprise the public and party members. I think that is what real reform is.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You have also been consistently calling for Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's resignation, to the point where you were almost referred for disciplinary action before being excluded. 'Alternatives and Future' has continuously raised this issue.
[Kim Yong-tae]: That's right.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But since Representative Jang doesn't even pretend to listen, there are physical limits, of course. Right now, it feels as though the voices calling for resignation have somewhat quieted down.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Right now, there are many blunders by the government and ruling party, and so much to criticize as an opposition party. It is true that the momentum for internal party reform or calls for the leadership's resignation has somewhat weakened.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Because looking at it from the outside, some might ask: "Did they get tired of doing this? It seemed like they were pushing at first, but since Rep. Jang didn't respond, did they just give up?"
[Kim Yong-tae]: Because while we are saying that the leadership must make a decision for the sake of the conservative camp and the nation, many party members within our support base perceive this as internal division and infighting.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Kim Yong-tae]: So while Rep. Jang's resignation is important for the conservative bloc and the country, us being seen in confrontation looks like fighting over positions. That was unpleasant for party members and supporters to watch, and I think that influenced how lawmakers behaved.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Did the issue involving Representative Kwon Young-jin play a role as well?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I don't think so. That is a personal matter involving Rep. Kwon Young-jin and is separate from this issue.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: How do you think Representative Kwon Young-jin's disciplinary issue should be handled?
[Kim Yong-tae]: The most important thing is the stance of the former and current floor leaders, who were the victims. The floor leader wants leniency and doesn't seem to want disciplinary action. So personally, I don't think it's appropriate for the Ethics Committee to step in and make a fuss about it. There was a commotion between lawmakers. Of course, Rep. Kwon was in the wrong, without a doubt. But since he apologized immediately, I think it is right to move past it appropriately based on the mutual agreement between the two.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Do you think talk of recommending voluntary withdrawal or expulsion coming from the leadership is because the target is Representative Kwon Young-jin? Because Rep. Kwon, belonging to 'Alternatives and Future,' was arguably the one most vocally calling for Rep. Jang to step down.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Rep. Kwon's action was unusual and wrong, that is true. But there is a general consensus among party lawmakers that it does not warrant expulsion. Despite that, the leadership using such expressions supports the interpretation that they targeted him precisely because he is Kwon Young-jin, as you speculated.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: It was reported yesterday morning through an exclusive article by the Chosun Ilbo—not even the Hankyoreh—that Representative Jang spent a lot of money on the U.S. delegation expenses. Rep. Jang's side responded by saying, "What are you talking about? Former Leader Kim Gi-hyeon or former Leader Kim Moo-sung ten years ago spent similar amounts. We spent slightly less than back then." What is your view on this becoming a controversy in itself?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Honestly, I have no interest in that. There are plenty of reasons to criticize Representative Jang Dong-hyuk for the sake of the conservative camp, but I personally don't think it is appropriate for party members to criticize a party leader over budget execution. I believe a party leader has the authority to execute the budget.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But as Rep. Jang's side claims, that is how it has traditionally been spent. The fact that the Chosun Ilbo published an exclusive report on this makes it quite unusual in itself.
[Kim Yong-tae]: That's true. It seems to have become a hot topic for gossip.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: It seems to vividly reflect how conservative media outlets view Representative Jang. In any case, will you continue to raise issues regarding Rep. Jang's position?
[Kim Yong-tae]: We will continue to raise issues, but as I mentioned earlier, we know that party members and supporters are feeling fatigued. So adjusting the pace is necessary. Realistically, it is also true that this issue cannot be resolved unless the leader makes a decision himself. So pacing ourselves seems required.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I see. What is happening with the Ethics Committee? The committee chair and vice chair are currently in chaos over whether someone violated confidentiality obligations.
[Kim Yong-tae]: No matter what decision the Ethics Committee makes, lawmakers already have an atmosphere of not recognizing its decisions. If the Ethics Committee had acted appropriately, this wouldn't have happened. Now, whatever decision it makes, people think, "Once the party leadership changes later, it will all be restored back to normal."
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Kim Yong-tae]: So the Ethics Committee chair himself destroyed its authority, and any decision made now lacks credibility. Given previous court injunctions granted for Assemblywoman Bae Hyun-jin or former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk, I wonder if the Ethics Committee chair should make a personal decision to step down, having caused such total disruption to party affairs.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I see. So is the Ethics Committee being used as a tool for Representative Jang Dong-hyuk to consolidate his power within the party?
[Kim Yong-tae]: Currently, there are many aspects that make it appear that way.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: This will likely be my final question. There was a report this morning that former Representative Yoo Seung-min and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon held a dinner meeting at the Hannam-dong mayoral residence yesterday and exchanged views on party issues. How do you view the significance of their meeting?
[Kim Yong-tae]: I think they both said all the right things. Whether people favored or opposed impeachment, each judged sincerely, and I personally don't think it is right to exclude anyone based on that. Having all of them work together is what our supporters and the public want to see. I think they made valid points. Right now, many within our party feel that the opposition lacks a true leader. In that respect, Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former Leader Yoo Seung-min meeting gives a lot of hope to many lawmakers and members inside the party.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. We will end it here. That was Representative Kim Yong-tae of the People Power Party. Thank you.
[Kim Yong-tae]: Thank you.
Copyright of this interview material belongs to SBS Radio.
When publishing the full text or citing this interview, please specify the channel name and program title as shown below.
[SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show]
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
Video News
Video News
Video News
Video News
Video News