KOR- Reaffirmed shared destiny among party, government, and presidential office... A process of mutual recognition and moving forward
- Not a bad outcome for Jung Chung-rae... Gained substantial political assets
- Burden from Jung Chung-rae's elevated political weight? It expands the Democratic Party's overall assets
- Clash in leadership? Kim Min-seok has ample experience... Will resolve issues well
- Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae broke conventions and unwritten rules... Process was not smooth
- Need delicate and close consultations... Cho must take responsibility to resolve what he created
- Mayor Oh Se-hoon opposes Yongsan Park development? Hope he makes a rational choice
- Yoon administration failed to supply housing... The goal is to explore every possible option
- Lee Seok-yeon's suggestion for President Lee to leave Democratic Party disrupts national unity
■ Program: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)
■ Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Rep. Kim Young-jin, Democratic Party of Korea
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : We are joined by Rep. Kim Young-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea, a young voice who speaks his mind. Welcome, lawmaker.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Hello.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Lawmaker, now that the national convention is over, we can speak candidly. Were you honestly anxious? Or did you think, "Ah, well, it will work out fine"? By anxious, I mean not just about who would win or lose, but worrying whether the party might fall apart amid all the strife.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : There were some of those concerns, but I actually believed it would conclude well. Furthermore, because all three contenders have been Democratic Party figures active within the party for 20 to 30 years, I believed they would uphold the party's values, platform, and direction together.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : But honestly, the clashes were much fiercer than you initially anticipated at the start of the convention, weren't they?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : The clashes were significantly fiercer than I had predicted. The language and rhetoric were very harsh as well. In my view, each candidate truly poured their heart and soul into this leadership race to the utmost extreme. It made me feel that we should not hold elections like this going forward.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Is that so?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Yes.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : You feel national conventions shouldn't unfold like this anymore?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : That is correct.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : There was a dinner at the presidential office yesterday. In fact, it has been common under any administration for a president to invite and dine with a newly elected leadership right after a national convention. However, in my recollection, I do not recall a dinner being scheduled immediately the very next day, whether for the Democratic Party or the People Power Party. Right? Did the president feel a bit concerned, thinking, "I need to call them in quickly, share a meal, and soothe tensions rather than leave it unattended"?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : The schedules of the three candidates were naturally coordinated and agreed upon. The presidential office also intended to swiftly transform the various friction points of the leadership race into harmony, shift the party into a working posture, and establish a system where the party, government, and presidential office work as one team. In reality, President Lee Jae-myung shares a close personal relationship with each of the three candidates individually. That is why meeting so quickly posed no particular problem. Looking at yesterday's schedule as well, it was a productive gathering where they reaffirmed that the party, government, and presidential office share a single destiny and agreed to work together for the success of the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : So do you think some harmony was achieved yesterday?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Politics ultimately speaks through process, procedure, and results. After a fierce race, Kim Min-seok was elected as the leader, and the others were not. In that context, I view this as a process of acknowledging the procedures and results and moving forward together. Candidate Kim Min-seok was elected leader, and candidate Jung Chung-rae acquired substantial political assets of his own. Because we saw an outcome where many party members and citizens resonated with the messages, remarks, and direction that Jung Chung-rae advocated in the Democratic Party, even though former leader Jung Chung-rae did not end up winning the leadership, I do not see it as a bad result for him at all.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Looking at Senior Presidential Secretary Hong Ik-pyo's written briefing yesterday, Leader Kim Min-seok reportedly "apologized for some excessive expressions," Rep. Song Young-gil said, "I want to resolve misunderstandings with comrade Jung Chung-rae," and Rep. Jung Chung-rae said, "We are comrades who crossed the line between life and death." While their nuances seem slightly different, all the messages were positive.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Yes.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : But looking at the photos from yesterday's dinner at the presidential office—I don't know if only such things catch my eye—Rep. Jung Chung-rae was not smiling. Of course, it is not easy to burst into laughter the day after losing an election. But looking at the photo, everyone from the president on down is smiling broadly, while only Rep. Jung Chung-rae had a stiff expression. Was he speaking through his facial expression, or what was it?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Former leader Jung Chung-rae ran as a candidate, so he must feel disappointed and bitter since he did not win the leadership. While he took a major positive political step, because of the outcome, he naturally feels some personal regret. In fact, former leader Jung Chung-rae is not the type of politician who frequently laughs out loud with broad grins.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Lawmaker, you mentioned that Rep. Jung Chung-rae gained political assets.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Yes.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Quite a few commentators who appear on our program have assessed that his political standing has risen. While that might help Rep. Jung Chung-rae individually in the long run, from another perspective, doesn't his increased political weight and growing influence become a burden for new Leader Kim Min-seok or the president?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : I do not think there is a need to view it that way. I believe the Democratic Party's wealth of political assets has expanded. By articulating various messages, activities, and personal visions throughout the convention, he achieved a 54-to-46 outcome. The broadening of such political assets is beneficial for the Democratic Party as a whole. The remaining task depends on how former leader Jung Chung-rae acts to continue winning the hearts of party members and the public. Leader Kim Min-seok also endured 18 years of patience and perseverance. Through those years of studying and undergoing various experiences, he has been a politician who contemplated deeply on how to prepare and respond to the perspectives and judgments of the public and party members.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Losing candidates naturally feel devastated on the inside, especially after pouring their soul into the convention.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Yes.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Regardless of their inner feelings, publicly politicians usually say things like, "I will cooperate fully with the new party leader so we become united and I will work hard for our president's success." But looking at Rep. Jung Chung-rae's remarks, he said, "Leader Kim Min-seok won, but many of his arguments lost. I will live speaking my mind. Party members, please protect me." Senior Supreme Council Member Choi Min-hee also remarked, "The concept of a 'one team' needs to change." It sounds like they are saying, "We lost, but we will keep saying what we want to say until the end. There will be no 100% unconditional cooperation."
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Politics is the art of possibilities and is constantly shifting. Those were remarks made immediately the day after the convention ended, and things began to change starting yesterday.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Did they?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Yes. Yesterday, taking the broader picture, Leader Jung Chung-rae stated that we are comrades and brothers-in-arms who crossed the line between life and death during the December 3 martial law. He spoke from the overarching perspective of uniting as a community of shared destiny to win the general and presidential elections and drive the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : I see.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : That is the political stance. Regarding claims that his arguments lost, there were many slightly excessive expressions during the campaign. Regarding the controversial "anti-Lee, factionalism, and Shincheonji tripartite secret alliance" remarks criticized by Leader Jung Chung-rae, Leader Kim Min-seok expressed regret yesterday, and candidate Song Young-gil also expressed regret. Overall, I think the mutual attacks and criticisms involving excessive rhetoric from the primary period were politically wrapped up yesterday.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Through that dinner with the president?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Of course. Would three major political leaders of the Democratic Party say one thing at that dinner table and say something completely different outside? I believe things will go well.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Even if things were settled with Rep. Jung Chung-rae yesterday, he is no longer part of the Supreme Council since he is not in the leadership.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : That is correct.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : But there is the immediate question of teamwork between Leader Kim Min-seok and the three pro-Jung Supreme Council members (re-elected Choi Min-hee, and first-term lawmakers Lee Sung-yoon and Han Min-soo). Yesterday was the first Supreme Council meeting, and the media is sensitive to these dynamics. Leader Kim Min-seok said yesterday, "The pragmatic line received overwhelming support from delegates and dues-paying members." He meant that party sentiment chose him and his political line. But Senior Supreme Council Member Choi Min-hee immediately countered, "It is an exquisite outcome where public sentiment checks party sentiment." In the end, both sides are highlighting only what is advantageous to them from the election results. Will this leadership function smoothly?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Analyses can vary. In terms of results, because candidate Kim Min-seok won overall, accepting that outcome is the fundamental principle of democracy. Interpretation is free. How each politician interprets it and moves forward is their own discretion, so commenting on that would be beyond my purview.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Yes.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : However, the core principle is that party members, the public, and everyone want the ruling Democratic Party to organize itself well and step forward as a party that changes people's lives and delivers tangible outcomes that shape the future. Furthermore, they demand that we do not fight, but unite well and work for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration. I believe this is the supreme order from our party members and the public.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : I see.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : If we move forward as a party that executes that well, we will gain the public's trust, and those political leaders will have a future. If they reject that, I believe there is no future.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : So you believe we will not see scenes of leadership clashes?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : If we engage in sufficient discussions, we can manage it. Even during Lee Jae-myung's tenure as party leader, there were various differences in views and opinions, but we narrowed differences, deliberated, and reached agreements through lengthy discussions. Leader Kim Min-seok also served as Senior Supreme Council Member during that process, so he understands it well. I believe he will resolve issues through good approaches.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Understood. Right after the national convention ended, an incident occurred that could unite the Democratic Party as one team: Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. It is true that Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae broke with past conventions. Whether because consultations with the president broke down or for another reason, he broke custom and exercised his nomination recommendation power in writing, stating, "I recommend this person." Roh Kyung-pil, Minister of National Court Administration, appeared before the National Assembly yesterday and said, "The presidential office did not grant a meeting opportunity. That is why we could not meet in person, and we sent the recommendation in writing after consulting with the Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs." This has created confusion. Is this the responsibility of the presidential office or Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : I also watched the discussions and Q&A sessions in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. In reality, various procedures and processes were not smooth. These matters have traditionally been conducted based on conventions and unwritten rules. In short, when the Chief Justice recommends a Supreme Court Justice nominee, he consults with the president, who holds the final appointment authority, to recommend agreeable individuals, who are then nominated, pass through National Assembly confirmation hearings, and are formally appointed by the president. That entire process seems to have been clumsy.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Yes.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : The Supreme Court should have also conducted discussions more closely and quickly as procedures went forward. However, because the Supreme Court pushed its position too rigidly without reaching coordination and submitted a written nomination, thereby breaking conventions and unwritten rules, it is causing significant controversy right now.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : So the Supreme Court bears heavy responsibility?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : I believe the Supreme Court should proceed through more delicate and closer consultations, demonstrating respect for the nominator and the appointing authority.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Yes.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : While nomination and appointment procedures are separated under the separation of powers as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, breaking the conventions and unwritten rules observed for decades in both substance and process could trigger many concerning situations.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Yesterday, Leader Kim Min-seok said, "Mr. Cho Hee-dae, come to your senses and step down immediately." He criticized him harshly. Chief Justice Cho's term lasts until next year, so he is unlikely to just step down on his own. In that case, the card the Democratic Party can pull is impeachment. Do you think impeachment should be pursued?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : While talk of impeachment is emerging from some quarters, it is not being pursued officially at this stage. I believe Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae must first take responsibility to resolve what he created, and his own judgment and accountability must come first.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : When you say he should resolve what he created, do you mean withdrawing the nomination recommendation?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : He will judge well for himself. He needs to carefully assess the situation regarding his future course of action and related matters.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : The Democratic Party currently views this as crossing the line because it infringes on the president's appointment power, right?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : We view these procedures and processes as having taken a form that violates the conventions and unwritten rules followed in the past. That point was also raised in yesterday's Legislation and Judiciary Committee session.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Does that mean Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae should step down on his own so that things do not escalate to the unfortunate point of impeachment?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : That judgment must be made by Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Saying Chief Justice Cho should make that judgment means "step down" rather than "complete your term."
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : He will make a judgment. That said, Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae—
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : He does not seem like someone who would step down.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : He faced many criticisms during the martial law and insurrection period, as well as during the remanded appeal decisions. Even so, he is not someone who will just leave simply because people tell him to leave.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Even so, people can criticize him. Then is your point also that he should step down on his own so we don't go as far as impeachment?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : I believe Leader Kim Min-seok delivered a clear political message in that regard.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : The matter has now moved over to the president. What should the president do? Should he accept the nomination and submit a request for National Assembly consent, or should the president reject it outright at his level?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Since the nomination has been made, the president will likely evaluate how to handle the consent procedure. He will probably proceed through various consultations regarding the submission of the consent motion to the National Assembly.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : There is a way to send the consent motion to the National Assembly and have the Assembly reject it, but the president could also choose not to send it to the National Assembly at all. After all, appointment authority rests with the president, even if nomination recommendation belongs to the Chief Justice.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : He will likely observe various developments this week and make a decision.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : What advice would you give?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Speaking on that issue right now would be a bit premature for me.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : But you are known to be very close to the president.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : That is not true.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Even if you say that, almost no one will believe you. All right. Let us touch upon this last issue briefly. As the government moves to develop Yongsan Park, Mayor Oh Se-hoon is strongly opposing it, saying he cannot agree to damaging even 1 cm of Yongsan Park. Do you suspect Mayor Oh has other political reasons for opposing it so strongly?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : I hope he makes a rational choice. The returned Yongsan US military base site spans about 1.5 million pyeong. If there are damaged parts of that site, we must remember that historically, Yongsan Park was one of the lands marked by humiliation, used as a garrison for Japanese forces during the colonial era and later as a US military base in Korea. It was returned as US bases relocated to Pyeongtaek. I believe we should preserve its status as a historical park.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Yes.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : At the same time, isn't shaping the future for young people one of the most critical tasks of our era? I believe it is necessary to solve issues by providing youth housing and newlyweds' housing on parts of the site. The returned Yongsan US base land is not Mayor Oh Se-hoon's private property. Through social consensus, we need to discuss constructive directions to offer housing opportunities to youth through historical parks, parks for Seoul citizens, youth housing, and newlyweds' housing. Bold determination by the government and consultations with the Seoul Metropolitan Government are necessary.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Yes.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Mayor Oh Se-hoon pledged to provide housing through deregulation, redevelopment, and reconstruction. However, during the six years—three years under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration when he belonged to the ruling party and three years as the opposition—he failed to supply housing. Therefore, instead of opposing housing supply for various reasons, let us try every viable method available. In that spirit, I believe we need to assess the construction of youth housing on the returned Yongsan base site more positively.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Understood. Lawmaker, briefly: Lee Seok-yeon, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on National Cohesion, called on the president to leave the Democratic Party, arguing that doing so would make him a president for all people and lead to success. Should he leave the party or not?
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : I think Chairman Lee Seok-yeon made a statement that slightly disrupts national unity rather than creating it this time. In party politics, the president naturally belongs to a political party, so raising this issue in the first year in office goes too far.
▷ [Kim Tae-hyun] : Understood. We will wrap up here. That was Rep. Kim Young-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea. Thank you.
▶ [Kim Young-jin] : Thank you.
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※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
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