Kim Yong, Close Aide to President Lee, Poised to Enter Party Convention... Will He Become a Pro-Lee Unifying Figure?

Kim Expected to Announce Supreme Council Candidacy Next Week
Nationwide Political Activities Since Early This Year

As the formation of the Convention Preparatory Committee, which will select the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, is imminent, Kim Yong, former Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute and previously known as a close aide to President Lee Jaemyung, is expected to announce his candidacy for the Supreme Council member election.

In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily on June 19, Kim said, "I plan to make a decision on my candidacy as early as next week or within this month," adding, "Given the current situation, I feel a responsibility to play a role for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration, so I am seriously considering it in a positive light."

Yong Kim, former Deputy Director of the Democratic Research Institute. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

He went on to say, "Since the beginning of this year, I have traveled across the country holding book concerts, and there have been many requests for me to serve as a unifying figure for pro-Lee supporters, so I feel I should take on that role." Kim is known as one of President Lee's closest aides, responsible for both policy and organizational matters.

Kim resumed his political activities in earnest from the beginning of this year, ahead of the June 3 local elections. After being excluded from the nomination process for the by-election and declaring that he would serve the party without holding office, he traveled nationwide to support Democratic Party candidates running in local elections. He served as the head of the support committee for 22 candidates for metropolitan and basic local government heads (including preliminary candidates), with candidate regions spread across the country: Seoul (7), Gyeonggi (5), Jeonnam (3), Gangwon (2), and one each in Incheon, Daejeon, Chungnam, Gyeongnam, and Jeonbuk.

However, some within the pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jaemyung) faction have expressed concerns about Kim's candidacy. They cite two reasons: first, as someone not currently holding elected office, his candidacy could split the votes; second, his legal risks have not yet been resolved. Nonetheless, Kim countered, "Because I am an outsider, I can better reflect the voices of ordinary party members and supporters. I believe this gives me a good position without restrictions on my activities."

There are also calls for better coordination, as there are many potential candidates for the Supreme Council election. Since the five Supreme Council seats will be contested between the pro-Jeong Cheongrae and pro-Lee factions, the side that secures three or more seats will gain an advantage in shaping the next power structure.

Potential pro-Lee candidates include Assemblymen Kim Seungwon, Park Sungjoon, Lee Geontae, and Jung Junho. There is also speculation that current Supreme Council member Kang Deukgu will seek re-election. On the pro-Jeong Cheongrae side, Supreme Council member Lee Sungyun is expected to seek another term, and Assemblymen Han Minsu, Choi Minhee, and Lee Yeonhee are also being mentioned. Assemblymen Kim Youngho and Min Byungdeok, who are relatively unaffiliated with any faction, are also being discussed.

One lawmaker who is seriously considering running commented, "Since the preliminary primary will narrow the field to eight candidates, the lineup will naturally be sorted out. While regional factors may be considered, there will be no artificial coordination." The lawmaker added, "Running mates don't matter in the early stages. Later, the tournament bracket will be formed from within the final eight candidates."

The Democratic Party national convention is scheduled for August 17. Candidate applications are expected to be accepted between July 16 and 17. If there are four or more candidates for party leader, or nine or more for Supreme Council member, a preliminary primary will be held.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.