Three-Term Lawmaker Kim Youngho Runs for Supreme Council: "Leadership That Embraces the 2030 Generation" [Ruling Party Congress Interview]

Emphasizing Generational Change Through Youth Discourse
A 'Hundred-Year Member' Since the Days of Father Kim Sanghyun

Kim Youngho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea running for the Supreme Council election at the 8·17 National Congress, cited the 'weight of a three-term lawmaker' as his main strength. Kim emphasized, "To create a more harmonious Democratic Party, senior lawmakers need to play a central role in the leadership."

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 1st, Kim stated, "When the party leadership is made up primarily of first-term lawmakers, it creates a hierarchy that makes it difficult to restrain the party leader if they are headed in the wrong direction. Senior lawmakers need to take the central role. Until now, we've had too many strong individualities."

Kim Young-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

For this National Congress, Kim is focusing on the 2030 generation. He pledged youth-oriented policies, saying, "The roots of the Democratic Party trace back to the youthful spirit of the 386 student movement generation. Even after 50 years, this narrative remains deeply embedded in our party."

Kim is recognized as an expert on China, having graduated from the Department of International Politics at Peking University and earned a master's degree in Chinese Studies from Sogang University. He is also well known as the son of the late former President Kim Dae-jung's comrade, the late former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Sang-hyun.

Kim Youngho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The following is a Q&A with Assemblyman Kim.

-What are your strengths compared to other Supreme Council candidates?

▲I am an official 'hundred-year member,' a Democrat since my father's generation. I have the advantage of understanding each lawmaker's parliamentary work very well. I also have the experience of losing three elections during cold and hungry times. So, I understand the concerns of those outside the Assembly.

-What motivated you to run?

▲Incorporating youth discourse into the Democratic Party's constitution and regulations, and achieving generational change — these are the most important political goals. Currently, our party constitution and regulations focus on issues like diplomacy, unification, national defense, and labor, which have been the main narratives since the era of the late President Kim Dae-jung. Times have changed. It's time to replace old narratives. We need to partially embrace the era-defining narratives of the 2030 youth and set up a kind of party modernization plan, aiming even to revise our party platform. The party needs a new leadership that dreams of a new future.

-Support from young people is declining.

▲Through dialogue with young people, we must create laws and systems that resonate with them and address their issues pragmatically. The younger generation has grown up in an environment of fierce competition from college entrance exams to entering society, while our generation approached issues ideologically, emphasizing democratization movements, patriotism, and the spirit of struggle.

-Do you have any concrete plans?

▲I will establish a 'Youth Discourse Committee.' When I was the head of the Seoul chapter of the Democratic Party, I created and operated this committee for two years, providing the most budgetary support. If I join the leadership, I want to implement it nationwide. I also plan to propose a 'Youth Participatory Budget System,' modeled after the resident participatory budget system, where young people can directly select projects worth 1 billion to 2 billion won according to their needs. I hope the party member culture also changes. By creating consultative bodies for rights-holding party members, we can build a system where operating committee members elected by party members monitor, evaluate, and encourage the party.

Kim Youngho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

-What is your view on the recent Paichai High School hate slogan issue?

▲If they were adults, we should take a firm approach, but they are still kids. I hope there will be no further disciplinary measures, public threats, or pressure on these students. I believe the kids have felt enough already. Rather than punitive action, the National Assembly should look into the fundamental issues. Measures are needed against groups who incite others with fake news about the 5·18 Democratization Movement.

-Mocking language is circulating within the party as well.

▲I have great respect for former President Moon Jae-in. I am deeply hurt by the ridicule coming from some progressive circles recently. The Moon Jae-in administration was the cleanest government, with no corruption among relatives, and strictly adhered to the procedural aspects of democracy. If former President Roh Moo-hyun put justice above the law, former President Moon put law above justice. Even when former President Yoon Suk-yeol stabbed him in the back, Moon did not criticize him but maintained restraint and self-control. Isn’t this a true example of faithfully adhering to democratic procedures and processes?

-How should the relationship with the opposition party be managed?

▲The opposition party serves as a compass. If we go astray, the opposition should point it out. However, right now it is the opposition that is going even further in the wrong direction. It is an unfortunate and tragic reality of South Korean politics. If a party runs itself by using far-right forces as its standard, it becomes an opponent to be subdued, not a partner for cooperation. If the new leadership rebuilds the party as a sound conservative party, we can extend a warm hand. I hope the conservative party becomes a true party of the people.

-The party leader race is expected to be a three-way contest. What kind of leadership do you think is needed?

▲Former Representative Jeong Cheong-rae is a skilled opposition leader. However, as a ruling party leader, I don't think he was able to make the most of the party. Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former Representative Song Young-gil are both capable of maintaining smooth relations among the party, government, and the presidential office. In particular, I highly regard Song’s willingness to fight for prosecution reform even after being indicted.

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