Kim Young-jin: "Weighing Overall Benefits, Kim Seung-won Should Be Appointed... Ruling Party Shouldn't Take Away President's Umbrella in the Rain"

- Vetting of Kim Seung-won is complete... Weighing overall benefits, he should be appointed
- Confirmation hearing report will be written considering various reactions, including PSPD
- Opposition's street protest? Overreaction... Helping the government is also the opposition's role
- Pushing ahead despite Lee's low approval ratings? Delaying the appointment is a bigger problem
- No replacement candidate either... Must move forward while accepting pointed-out issues
- Ruling party's role is also important... Don't take away the umbrella in the rain, share it
- Prosecution reform is clear; demanding further reform is inappropriate
- Criticisms by Choo Mi-ae? Shouldn't cross the line... Needs moderate restraint
- Lee addressing indictment dismissal at press conference? Will gather public opinion
- Need to express regret over missteps and shift the atmosphere
- Lowering threshold for negotiating group? Not easy because PPP consent is required
 
■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00 AM)
■ Date: September 17, 2026 (Thursday)
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Lawmaker Kim Young-jin, Democratic Party of Korea (Chair of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee)
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] I really love the background music for this segment. Joining us is the outspoken "Young Man," Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Young-jin. Hello.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Good to be here.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Lawmaker, as soon as you sat down, you mentioned to me that commentator Kim Soo-min's editorial cartoon featured earlier on our News One Shot was drawn really well.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Yes.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Do you like its content?
 
[Kim Young-jin] It was drawn exceptionally well.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Do you like what it says?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Well, setting the content aside, the concept and direction appropriately illustrated a new shift.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] It seems you might not be entirely fond of the content. Could it be nominee Kang Shin-chul's breakthrough?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Well, the content is freedom of expression.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. First of all, what appeared in that cartoon earlier showed the media, the opposition, and civic groups all tightly marking nominee Kim Seung-won on the right, while nominee Kang Shin-chul comfortably dribbled through alone on his own. As portrayed in the cartoon, nominee Kim Seung-won is blocked. The media, the opposition, and even the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) are currently opposed. What are your thoughts? After watching the confirmation hearing, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee said there are no grounds for withdrawal and that they would adopt the hearing report.
 
[Kim Young-jin] For about two weeks, the opposition and the media vetted nominee Kim Seung-won, and my view is that nothing further came to light. Second, on that matter, 11 prosecutors thoroughly investigated it for two years under Minister Han Dong-hoon, and it concluded with a suspension of indictment. Cobbling this and that together amounted to a political offensive, but nothing beyond that developed. Since the investigation concluded that there was no legal violation by issuing a suspension of indictment, I believe that issue was essentially settled.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] During the hearing process as well, I don't think anything particularly new came out beyond that.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] While nominee Kim Seung-won is not a flawless candidate, stabilizing the organization of the Prosecution Agency currently being launched and properly putting the disordered Ministry of Justice back together through legal administration are crucial tasks right now. Therefore, weighing the overall benefits, proceeding with the appointment would be far more effective.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] However, while not everything can be decided by opinion polls, a survey released yesterday by KSOI—conducted on September 14 – 15 using automated wireless ARS, with detailed information available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website—showed 25.1% in favor of the appointment and 52.1% against. Opposition is more than double.
 
(According to a survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) on September 14 – 15 among 1,001 adults aged 19 and older nationwide and released yesterday (September 16), 52.1% opposed the appointment of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, while 25.1% supported it. Conducted via automated wireless ARS. Response rate 5.9%, 95% confidence level with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. For details, refer to the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.)
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] And PSPD. PSPD is widely known as a progressive group rather than a conservative one. Looking at PSPD's commentary yesterday, they deemed him unfit for Minister of Justice. They stated that while nominee Kim clearly has multiple disqualifying factors, he failed to sufficiently demonstrate why he should be appointed or his policy competence. They noted that allegations of solicitation with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regarding COVID-19 treatments are strongly suspected to be improper solicitation, and they also cited his past drunk driving record. Isn't this burdensome? Public opinion is unfavorable, and opposition even from PSPD poses a significant burden for the ruling camp.
 
[Kim Young-jin] I believe those are matters based on various shared opinions. Therefore, while taking those points into consideration, the situation requires properly normalizing the Ministry of Justice and carrying out the various tasks ahead. In reality, nothing new came out from investigative agencies over the preceding two years.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Second, looking at the issues concerning the cooperative related to individuals with developmental disabilities and similar matters, those were things that occurred on the ground. Extracting only small portions to launch attacks felt quite inappropriate to me. So while assessments and judgments differed, opinions varied on whether there were decisive disqualifying grounds rendering him incapable of performing the duties of Minister of Justice. Therefore, going through the official confirmation hearing at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, adopting the report that includes opinions from both the ruling and opposition parties, and letting the president make the final decision is the proper sequence.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] However, Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who virtually led this hearing, said yesterday that he would take to the streets, and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok is also speaking of outdoor protests. While we will have to see how it materializes, it appears the opposition camp plans to engage in outdoor rallies to protest if the president proceeds with the appointment. What do you think?
 
[Kim Young-jin] I believe that is an overreaction and excessive politics. During the confirmation hearing period, the opposition sufficiently raised problems. If he fails to carry out his duties properly as Justice Minister moving forward, pointing those out through standing committees, the government audit, or other processes would be appropriate. I question whether this genuinely warrants an outdoor protest. In fact, through this medium-scale cabinet reshuffle replacing six ministers, there is an aspect of listening to the public's voice and helping the administration embark on a fresh start. While the opposition has a critical role, another role of the opposition is helping the government function. If flaws were clearly pointed out, helping the government perform its work to produce results is also part of their duty, so taking this to outdoor protests could be seen as an overreaction and over-politicking. I believe it is an unreasonable stance.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] In any case, from the perspective of the ruling camp—both the Democratic Party and the presidential office—despite strong opposing public opinion and opposition from groups like PSPD, you judge politically that proceeding with the appointment offers far more benefits than losses, correct?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Under current circumstances, no additional issues have emerged. Applying such a standard, does a flawless candidate even exist in the Republic of Korea? Therefore, if a candidate has passed bipartisan vetting at the current level, proceeding through that sequence is necessary.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] This issue will undoubtedly come up during tomorrow's press conference. When a president's approval rating is very high, like early in the term, pushing through despite opposing opinions has meaning. But currently, the president's approval rating is not that high, and tomorrow's press conference also carries the nature of turning public sentiment around. In this context, if he declares he will push through despite unfavorable public opinion and opposition from PSPD, a rebound in approval ratings or public sentiment might not come easily.
 
[Kim Young-jin] In truth, that is the agony of the appointing authority.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] That is certainly true.
 
[Kim Young-jin] From what I see, among various candidates recommended across our society, he submitted the confirmation request because he determined after various vetting stages that the candidate was suited for the duties, leading to the appointment process. While issues were raised, it is not as though an alternative candidate is readily available. Problems were sufficiently pointed out, and by incorporating those concerns, the Ministry of Justice must properly carry out its roles. Furthermore, with the Prosecution Agency launching in October, the relationship between the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecution Agency, and the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, and maintaining indictments by the Prosecution Agency—essentially the prosecution service—amid the complete separation of investigation and prosecution, someone must clearly handle corruption, financial crimes, and major offense trials. From that standpoint, further delay could generate even greater anxiety among the public. I believe the president will make a decision encompassing these aspects.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Lawmaker, you are one of the original Seven-Member Group, an original pro-Lee, the most authentic among the core loyalists, and one of the closest figures to the president. That is a fact. That is why I think you understand the president's feelings best. If I were the president right now, it would be an extremely difficult situation. Looking abroad, President Trump is pressing hard for troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. Looking at the opposition, they are demanding the withdrawal of Minister Kim Seung-won over the confirmation hearing. The party internally should be peaceful, but looking inside, the Gyeonggi Governor came and said the president was co-opted by insurrectionist forces. Within the party, Governor Choo Mi-ae is also doing that. Nothing feels comfortable right now. How do you think the president feels? You know him so well.
 
[Kim Young-jin] President Lee Jae-myung has overcome countless hardships throughout various political processes.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] That is true.
 
[Kim Young-jin] And ultimately, as President Lee Jae-myung judges, he holds the principle that politics is not conducted by politicians, but by the people. Therefore, he will carefully gather public perspectives and voices. At the same time, I believe the role and responsibility of the Democratic Party as the governing party—taking responsibility for the lives, safety, and future of the people—are also paramount. In circumstances like this, external issues like relations with the United States under Trump and the troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz overlap with internal issues. During difficult times like these, getting soaked in the rain together is also necessary.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] The ruling party?
 
[Kim Young-jin] The ruling party. Instead of taking away an umbrella when it rains, the ruling party needs to hold the principle of weathering the rain together and sharing an umbrella to overcome hardship. Late in the term of former President Roh Moo-hyun, immense internal strife broke out over passing four major reform bills, including the National Security Act. Due to voices from hardliners insisting they could not accept anything less than a complete revision of the National Security Act, they failed to amend even Articles 7-1 and 7-3 that were actually feasible to revise, failing to alter a single stroke and wrecking the four major reform bills altogether. Having experienced that misstep from 2006 to 2007, the Democratic Party now needs the mindset to reform within the scope and direction currently achievable amid prosecution and media reform issues, leaving the remaining tasks to future generations of politicians. Regarding prosecution reform, investigation and indictment have already been clearly separated.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] And the prosecution has been clearly reformed to retain only indictment authority to maintain trials. Demanding further reform beyond this lacks clear substance. Right now, the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the National Police Agency hold the authority to initiate and conclude investigations. With investigation and indictment clearly separated, I believe more than 95% of prosecution reform has been accomplished. Then, this system must take root properly so that major criminals involved in corruption, financial, and cyber crimes cannot slip through. And for the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, appointing the most skilled investigator to head the agency aligns with the original purpose of its establishment. Is the Major Crimes Investigation Agency some social gathering?
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. One question related to that: a friend who shares the rain without taking the umbrella away in difficult times. Party leader Kim Min-seok certainly fits that description, right? Governor Choo Mi-ae is not that kind of friend, is she? By your standards, she is currently taking away the umbrella, given the pressure on the president.
 
[Kim Young-jin] There are various points of criticism, but I hope no one crosses the line when criticizing. As I mentioned earlier, we must learn from the painful experience of losing power under former President Roh Moo-hyun amid controversies over the four major reform bills, including the National Security Act. There is an extent to which criticism should go, and there are aspects that can be handled internally behind closed doors. Putting on an open display of infighting does not look appropriate to the public.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Did Governor Choo Mi-ae cross the line?
 
[Kim Young-jin] I believe there is a need for moderate restraint.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] So she crossed the line?
 
[Kim Young-jin] One should criticize with moderate restraint. There are differences in perspectives on various matters, aren't there? And regarding the head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, we can simply hold a confirmation hearing and see.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Because we can just hear that position, right? Understood. Amid this situation, the presidential press conference is tomorrow. It is a critical press conference, and it seems none of the questions tomorrow will be easy. One of the greatest points of interest that any reporter will ask: "Mr. President, what will you do regarding the constitutional amendment for consecutive terms? Taking it one step further, what will you do regarding the dismissal of indictments? Please answer briefly with yes or no." Suppose I, reporter Kim Tae-hyun, asked that. Lawmaker, if you were the president: "Will you dismiss indictments? Yes or no." No hypothetical premises, no "maybe." What would be the proper answer?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Since the press conference is tomorrow, various opinions are likely being compiled right now, aren't they? Regarding dismissal of indictments, consecutive-term constitutional amendments, issues concerning various nominees, troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz in relations with the U.S., major foreign policy and defense issues, domestic political matters, and economic problems, I believe opinions will be gathered thoroughly by today to finalize positions.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] That is likely.
 
[Kim Young-jin] It would not be appropriate for me to speak from the president's perspective right now. As I mentioned earlier, politics is not done by politicians, but ultimately by the people. Therefore, how to change in accordance with the public's voice and expectations as a governing party and administration will be carefully weighed, and I anticipate he will deliberate thoroughly before speaking.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] You saw Lawmaker Yoon Kun-young's Facebook post recently, didn't you? To put it simply, clean it up neatly: "No dismissal of indictments, no consecutive-term constitutional amendment. Let's settle it cleanly and move on, without constantly getting entangled in disputes." He offered such candid advice.
 
[Kim Young-jin] I believe he will speak and express his position after carefully considering those opinions as well.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Either way, whether yes or no, do you believe a clear line must be drawn this time?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Under current circumstances, if further controversy ensues, steering and executing state affairs and securing public consensus become very difficult. Therefore, I believe he will make an appropriate judgment within that context.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] If you were at the presidential office right now, you would probably hope for a sharp rebound in public opinion starting from tomorrow's press conference, especially holding it ahead of Chuseok under these circumstances. Overall, what advice would you give?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Fundamentally, isn't it said, "Without trust, nothing can stand" (musinbulrip)? If trust is lost, we cannot move forward under current conditions. We need candid discussions about the efforts of the public, our ruling party, the Democratic Party, and the government to earn public trust. Second, there are things done well, but also things done wrong, aren't there? By speaking openly to the public on those issues, asking for their help to create a new atmosphere and transition for our ruling party to work, and expressing regret where mistakes were made to foster an atmosphere of moving forward together with the people—I personally think creating such an occasion is necessary.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] It would be great if tomorrow's press conference could satisfy all citizens, but realistically that is not easy. Who should be the main target audience for tomorrow's press conference: traditional supporters, or the so-called moderates of "New Lee Jae-myung"?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Rather than categorizing by core supporters, traditional supporters, or moderates, I believe the press conference needs to be approached from the perspective of the general public as a whole.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Rather than focusing on a rebound in approval ratings, I believe the direction should be viewed as a starting point to build a foundation of trust.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. Lastly, let us talk about party leader Kim Min-seok. He proposed lowering the threshold for forming a negotiating group. That is something the Rebuilding Korea Party has longed for. But the Rebuilding Korea Party holds 12 seats. If he suggested around 10 seats, the Rebuilding Korea Party would have welcomed it, but he mentioned 15 seats. For the Rebuilding Korea Party, that is three seats short, which is now triggering backlash from them. Why did he say 15 seats? If he was going to do it, why not just propose 10 seats?
 
[Kim Young-jin] Previously, when we formed an opposition alliance, we discussed matters regarding the Rebuilding Korea Party's negotiating group, so in the process of heading toward partnership, solidarity, and integration, we view this as an important matter of solidarity consciousness.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Second, deciding the threshold for a negotiating group involves not only relations between the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party, but also relations between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party. Since this is governed by the National Assembly Act, changing the number of seats for a negotiating group is physically impossible if the People Power Party does not agree. That is why relations with the other opposition party also matter.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Third, there is the matter of public perspective and judgment regarding how citizens view this issue. Therefore, assessing all these comprehensive factors and discussing them together is necessary. Currently, the threshold for proportional representation seats is the 3% rule, isn't it? With that 3% barrier, the New Reform Party and the Progressive Party secured their seats. Taking all those aspects into account to make a holistic judgment, the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party need to pursue discussions.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. We will wrap up here. That was Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Young-jin, the "Young Man." Thank you.
 
[Kim Young-jin] Thank you.
 
The copyright of this interview belongs to SBS Radio.
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The copyright of this interview belongs to SBS Radio.
When publishing the full text or quoting this interview in reporting,
please credit the channel and exact program name as shown below.

[SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show]



※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.