- President Lee likely has many concerns over "DMZ landmines and Trump's trade pressure"
- DMZ explosion is a clear act of aggression from our standpoint
- However, politically, we must establish a peace regime to avoid armed conflict
- Resuming loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea? Serious harm to our own citizens as well
- Extreme confrontation forms like "drills to decapitate Kim Jong-un" are undesirable
- President Lee also holds a clear stance on North Korea's actions... considering public safety
- President's social media use? The public will judge whether it is too much or too little
- Need to adjust depending on the situation... absolutely no collusion with the special counsel
- Excessive criticism of Kim Ji-yong, nominee for Major Crimes Investigation Agency chief... should be judged at the confirmation hearing
- Kim Min-seok's stance on Kim Seung-won? The matter is settled since he withdrew his nomination
- Agency launching tomorrow... will examine it as Public Administration and Security Committee chair

■ Program: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00)
■ Date: October 1, 2026 (Thursday)
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Rep. Kim Young-jin, Democratic Party of Korea (Chair of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee)

[Kim Tae-hyun] We are joined by the "Young Man who speaks his mind," Democratic Party of Korea Representative Kim Young-jin. Hello.

[Kim Young-jin] Great to be here.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Representative, it seems the president must have a great deal on his mind right now. From the president's perspective, it is truly troubles both at home and abroad. None of the current issues are easy. What do you think is his biggest concern and what is weighing most heavily on his mind?

[Kim Young-jin] Looking at the overall picture, during the press conference in September, he expressed his views and regrets regarding state administration while promising to better serve the people's will and livelihood, stating he would approach things with greater humility. However, externally, there is trade pressure from President Trump as well as North Korea's DMZ attack, and domestically, his approval ratings are currently stagnating. With all these factors combined, I think it is quite a complicated and frustrating phase.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Even during the press conference in September, every single issue was a difficult dilemma to solve. Since then, an unexpected incident occurred from the president's perspective: the DMZ landmine explosion. Yesterday, the director at the Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly rebuked the North, saying, "The responsibility lies with the North. Corresponding measures must be taken." The defense minister said the same, and so did the president. Words aside, what corresponding measures can we realistically take that hold North Korea accountable?

[Kim Young-jin] Fundamentally, after the armistice on July 27, 1953, a 155-mile, 250-kilometer DMZ was created. There is a 2-kilometer buffer zone on both sides with the MDL, the Military Demarcation Line, right in the center. North Korea refers to that demarcation line as a border. With markers established along with the 1953 Armistice Agreement, some of those clear border markers still exist today, while others do not.

[Kim Tae-hyun] So I have heard.

[Kim Young-jin] Discharged service members who served on the frontline are well aware of this reality. In fact, this recent landmine explosion occurred because North Korean military landmines were buried 10 meters south of the MDL on our side and detonated, which from our standpoint is clearly an act of aggression. That is why the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission and our Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned it as a clear North Korean provocation. But North Korea is making its own claims, isn't it?

[Kim Tae-hyun] Claiming it was staged.

[Kim Young-jin] Because they are claiming it was self-staged, we need to recognize the reality of that area. Therefore, we must separate our political response from our military operational response. In short, regarding "corresponding measures," trying to resolve this issue through armed conflict with North Korea using hardline measures, as some People Power Party lawmakers suggest, is not a viable option for us. The priority should be maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and reducing the geopolitical security discount. Escalating security tensions to create a crisis does not serve the national interest. Lowering the security risk in military operations while establishing a peace regime through political engagement is the right direction to pursue.

[Kim Tae-hyun] In other words, you are emphasizing a political approach rather than a force-versus-force or military-versus-military confrontation.

[Kim Young-jin] We are already responding resolutely to North Korea's aggression and attacks on a case-by-case basis. As Kim Yo-jong, director of the Workers' Party, mentioned, their reference was to the 21st Division on the eastern front. However, this recent incident occurred in the Yeoncheon area on the western front, whereas Kim Yo-jong spoke of the Yanggu area on the eastern front. In reality, minor and major clashes continue to occur there as they work on fortifying their border along the MDL. When the MDL is violated, our military issues warnings over broadcasts and fires warning shots in accordance with rules of engagement, even if these actions are not made public.

[Kim Tae-hyun] I see.

[Kim Young-jin] This incident did not happen along the operational routes previously established for DMZ patrols, but rather while clearing a new path through dense vegetation that had accumulated over 50 years, which uncovered the buried mines. It was not as straightforward an operation as people might assume. Therefore, criticisms from Representative Han Dong-hoon and the People Power Party asking why an immediate on-site investigation was not launched are one-sided political assertions from those unfamiliar with our military personnel and operational reality.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Setting aside the demands from the opposition, the incident has happened, and both ruling and opposition parties agree North Korea is in the wrong.

[Kim Young-jin] That is correct.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Then the question is what we should do. Looking at the main demands from the opposition, there is talk of resuming frontline loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea. Yesterday, Representative Na Kyung-won held a press conference at the National Assembly arguing that we should at least resume training for the decapitation operation against Kim Jong-un. What do you think about these two proposals? Are they advantageous?

[Kim Young-jin] Some believe that frontline loudspeakers can pose a critical threat to North Korea. However, ultimately, those broadcasts caused severe disruptions to the livelihood, safety, and health of our citizens living along the 155-mile, 250-kilometer border area. That was why both sides partially agreed to take down all loudspeakers. In this situation, whether turning on loudspeakers across 155 miles and 250 kilometers to initiate a fight is an appropriate response should be weighed carefully from the standpoint of border residents and national security.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Right.

[Kim Young-jin] Second, regarding Representative Na Kyung-won's remarks on a decapitation operation, I do not believe that is an option to consider. If such extreme forms of confrontation take place on the Korean Peninsula, could lead to localized clashes, and escalate into full-scale conflict, that would run counter to the government's duty to protect the lives and safety of its citizens. In short, our military operational response should continue in the limited manner we have practiced, and we must prevent it from escalating into localized or full-scale conflict.

[Kim Tae-hyun] The opposition and conservative media have been demanding that the president, as commander-in-chief, state a clear position on North Korea rather than just talking about corresponding measures. Conservative media points out: why can't he say a word against the North? What is your take on that?

[Kim Young-jin] The Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Ministry of National Defense, and our lawmakers have consistently stated a clear position regarding North Korea's DMZ landmine attack, and I believe the president shares that exact view. At the same time, managing inter-Korean clashes and crises while building peace and security is a primary duty of the president. He formulates his stance by weighing these issues comprehensively, and he indeed maintains a firm stance against North Korea's acts of aggression. I view that as his unwavering position.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. Representative, the president has been an avid social media user since his days as mayor of Seongnam. He has likely experienced many positive effects from social media, and one could fairly say he grew as a politician through it. He also recently stated that he intends to communicate directly, listen to the public through social media, and promote state affairs. However, some voices raise concerns that the president might be using social media excessively. How do you view this?

[Kim Young-jin] Just like the debate over whether a glass of water is half full or half empty, decisions regarding social media use rest with the president, and the public will evaluate them accordingly. Deciding whether to gain momentum and strength for governance through frequent direct communication with citizens, or whether ministers and aides should take the lead instead of the president stepping forward personally, is a matter of judgment, and the public will be the judge. I think it is somewhat awkward for a third party to evaluate right now whether it is appropriate or inappropriate.

[Kim Tae-hyun] If you were the chief of staff right now, would you tell him to cut back a bit, or would you encourage him to keep going?

[Kim Young-jin] It would depend on the circumstances. When direct communication with the public is needed and when he wants to hear public opinions and voices, he will increase social media engagement. When moderation is needed, he will reduce it. Therefore, adjustments to expand or reduce social media contact will depend on the situation and conditions.

[Kim Tae-hyun] As you know, yesterday the president could have simply posted text praising the police for cracking down on voice phishing and reducing crime rates. Instead, he attached a document titled "Daily Comprehensive Situation Report." On the right side, it was marked "Confidential," and at the bottom, though partially cropped, there was a mention of a special counsel probe into the National Election Commission. The opposition immediately raised questions: should confidential documents be posted online, and is the president receiving reports on the special counsel's investigation? Although the Blue House clarified that this was not the case, posting such materials seems to stir unnecessary controversy. What do you think?

[Kim Young-jin] As the Blue House stated yesterday, that content was part of the daily situation report submitted by the National Police Agency to the National Situation Room and the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, serving as an official briefing on the matter. That was the extent of it. The allegation that the president is colluding with the special counsel is completely untrue and not even worth discussing.

[Kim Tae-hyun] While the issue has been settled, the problem is that it continues to spark unnecessary controversies.

[Kim Young-jin] That will be judged carefully. The chief of staff, the senior secretary for political affairs, and the director of the National Situation Room will analyze public sentiment and opinion, report them to the president, and the president will make decisions accordingly.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. Looking at this morning's newspapers, another dilemma facing the president was highlighted. If you were currently the chief of staff and having a one-on-one meeting with the president, what advice would you give regarding Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Major Crimes Investigation Agency: go or stop? Should he proceed or not?

[Kim Young-jin] As I have consistently stated on this broadcast, the preparatory team at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety shortlisted four candidates, the interior minister made a recommendation from among them, and the president tentatively designated Kim Ji-yong, after which controversies arose and a final decision was put on hold. I have consistently believed that the criticism and evaluation directed at each candidate have been somewhat excessive.

[Kim Tae-hyun] So he should be appointed?

[Kim Young-jin] In short, I have maintained that the nominee should be sent to the Public Administration and Security Committee for a confirmation hearing so that an evaluation and judgment can be made there.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Appoint him first?

[Kim Young-jin] Not appoint him right away, but submit the nomination first, and then make a judgment. Isn't that the purpose of holding a confirmation hearing? The nominee's ethics, policy vision, career, and job competence can be verified through the hearing. If serious problems or shortcomings emerge during that process, the appointing authority can make the final call. Opposing someone based solely on fragmented past experiences before even going through the process is inappropriate. The main criticism leveled against him is that he is supposedly a "pro-Yoon prosecutor." But in fact, nominee Kim Ji-yong...

[Kim Tae-hyun] Was promoted by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.

[Kim Young-jin] He was selected and promoted to chief prosecutor under Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae during the Moon Jae-in administration. Furthermore, when he served as head of a criminal division, he reopened the investigation into Choi Eun-soon, the mother-in-law of then Prosecutor General Yoon Suk-yeol, which ultimately led to her conviction and punishment. Because of that, he was demoted from chief prosecutor to deputy chief prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office and eventually resigned. Labeling someone with that background as a "pro-Yoon prosecutor" gives Kim Ji-yong legitimate grounds to object personally, even before considering his nomination as agency chief.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. The president also shared his view on social media, dismissing the claim of being a pro-Yoon prosecutor and stating that false slander obstructs state affairs. Meanwhile, the founder of Genencell, surnamed Kang, was sentenced to four years in prison and taken into court custody at an appellate trial yesterday. The opposition is criticizing the personnel vetting for Representative Kim Seung-won, arguing it was flawed from the start and questioning whether it was truly a proper appointment. Calls continue for Representative Kim Min-seok to state his position. How should this be handled? The issue surrounding Representative Kim Seung-won does not seem entirely resolved.

[Kim Young-jin] Ultimately, since nominee Kim Seung-won fell short of becoming justice minister and his nomination was withdrawn, I consider the matter settled. Second, regarding the alleged solicitation to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety involving Genencell, as I have consistently pointed out, that case was concluded with a suspension of indictment after 11 prosecutors investigated it for two years under President Yoon Suk-yeol and Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon. Following that, Representative Kim Seung-won filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court. We also need to reflect on what kind of investigation those 11 prosecutors conducted during Han Dong-hoon's tenure as justice minister. Since the Genencell head was found guilty in the second trial, any connection between that issue and Representative Kim Seung-won can be handled through proper procedures during the investigation.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Do you think Party Leader Kim Min-seok needs to state a position?

[Kim Young-jin] Since Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew his nomination and stepped down, I believe political responsibility has been taken by not assuming the ministerial post.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Representative, we have less than a minute left. As chair of the Public Administration and Security Committee, there are concerns about the Major Crimes Investigation Agency. Reports suggest they don't even have copy machines, are short on staff, and haven't fully set up their offices. With the launch scheduled for the day after tomorrow, how will this be handled?

[Kim Young-jin] I will attend the agency's launching ceremony on October 2 in my capacity as chair of the Public Administration and Security Committee and examine the situation firsthand.

[Kim Tae-hyun] There are worries and anxieties.

[Kim Young-jin] I will look into it. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has operated a preparatory team, and 1,700 prosecutors transferred from the Prosecution Service alongside 1,600 prosecution investigators will prepare their duties across five regional offices and the headquarters. I expect the agency will settle into place.

[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. We will wrap up here. That was Democratic Party of Korea Representative Kim Young-jin. Thank you.

[Kim Young-jin] Thank you.

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