[Interview] Yoon Sanghyun: "There’s Something About Kim Hyunji and Jung Jinsang’s 'Unofficial Line'" [Current Affairs Show]

"Democratic Party Likely to Push for Jo Heedae's Impeachment"

"Jang Donghyuk Must Change—Candid Words of Sincere Concern"

"Lee Junseok and Han Donghun Should Be Re-admitted and United"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily "So Jongseop’s Current Affairs Show" (Mon–Fri, 4:00 p.m.)

■ Host: So Jongseop, Political Specialist ■ Director: PD Ma Yena

■ Guest: Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun of the People Power Party (September 22)

※ When quoting the article’s content, please make sure to specify "So Jongseop’s Current Affairs Show."

So Jongseop: Hello, everyone. This is So Jongseop’s Current Affairs Show. As previously announced, we are joined today by Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun of the People Power Party for an interview on various current issues. Assemblyman Yoon, you served as chairman of the special National Assembly investigation committee for the National Election Commission, correct? The special counsel investigation is underway—what do you see as the core issue?

Yoon Sanghyun: The special counsel... As you know, there was a shortage of ballot papers during the vote on June 3. We clarified the overall structure through the special investigation committee. We identified why the shortage occurred, where the decision was made, and who should be held responsible. What’s important in this special counsel bill is that we have indeed included all the problems we previously raised as subjects of the investigation. At the Songpa Handball Stadium, there are 2.47 million ballot papers. I suggested we open and inspect them. The special counsel said they’d bring 14 people to the Songpa Handball Stadium and even use optical inspection to check for ballot damage. However, people—including the party leader and those watching from the sidelines—are opposed to it. I really can't understand why.

So Jongseop: I imagine you received a lot of criticism because of that?

Yoon Sanghyun: That’s right. People say, “Why is Assemblyman Yoon pushing for this?” Honestly, to be frank, there’s nothing to be found if opened. It would only validate the work of the Election Commission. The public rally would lose its momentum. There was no 3.15-style ballot rigging. We shouldn't mislead the public or exploit their anger. That’s why I proposed an open recount, but some of our own party members opposed it. So I requested it of the special counsel: Please resolve this issue, make it public, and include it in the investigation as a key matter.

Yoon Sanghyun, a member of the People Power Party, appeared on the Asia Business Daily YouTube channel's "So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show" for an interview on the 22nd.

So Jongseop: You’re also considering holding a public forum on suspicions of election irregularities?

Yoon Sanghyun: Actually, we were supposed to hold it this Monday, but due to scheduling conflicts, I’d like to hold the public forum after the National Assembly’s audit is over. The right-wing is excessively focused on discussing vote rigging. There are far-fetched, false pieces of information circulating everywhere. Many are being misled, almost as if in collective hypnosis, allowing conspiracy theories about fraudulent elections to thrive, and Youtubers and politicians to exploit them. We need to discuss this openly. Through an exhaustive debate, let’s get to the truth. Rather than just glossing over the issue, let's bring it out into the open; let’s discuss it, and let the special counsel verify the facts—that’s my honest motivation.

So Jongseop: Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recently stated that he cannot comply with President Lee Jaemyung’s request to re-nominate Supreme Court justices.

Yoon Sanghyun: That is natural. Our constitution specifies this. Article 104, Section 2 of the Constitution states that Supreme Court justices are nominated by the Chief Justice, appointed by the President with the consent of the National Assembly. The ongoing argument is that the President, endowed with power and authority by the people, should have full appointment powers, while others' nomination rights are merely procedural. Essentially, they’re saying that it should all be done as the President wishes.

We are a liberal democratic republic, where the separation of powers is clear. Just as the President’s appointment authority matters, so do the National Assembly’s consent and the Chief Justice’s right to nominate. Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae asserts that if the President refuses, he will reconvene the nominating committee and submit new recommendations. There is no other choice. This is the most correct interpretation from a constitutional perspective.

So Jongseop: So you believe Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae will form a new committee to recommend justices?

Yoon Sanghyun: Yes, that’s how I see it. Every time candidates are recommended, the rules require forming a new Supreme Court Justice Recommending Committee. The Blue House wants one of the three previously nominated candidates to be selected, but Chief Justice Cho refused. The established practice of negotiating with the President itself is wrong. The proper constitutional interpretation is simply to submit nominations.

So Jongseop: This has ended up in a direct confrontation between the Supreme Court and the Blue House. How should this be resolved going forward?

Yoon Sanghyun: If it continues like this, the Democratic Party might seek impeachment. Impeachment occurs when the Constitution or laws are flagrantly violated. Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae has committed no severe violations. This situation could result in a vacancy, with him being suspended from duties. For the upcoming audit, they intend to call him as a witness, and likely calls for impeachment will follow. The idea may be to summon him as a witness, discredit him, use that as a pretext for impeachment, and at least suspend him from duty. A smooth resolution seems unlikely.

Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun criticized the Blue House's personnel verification system, saying, "The personnel appointments have turned into a mess."

So Jongseop: With the withdrawal of candidates Kim Seungwon and Yong Hyein, responsibility for personnel appointments at the Blue House is being discussed. Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik has also expressed intent to resign, and there are additional discussions regarding Chief Kim Hyunji and former Chief Jeong Jinsang.

Yoon Sanghyun: There's a saying: “Personnel is everything,” but now it’s all a mess. Who recommended these people, and who vetted them? There's the so-called “blind” vetting, and when it comes to responsibility, this time Chief Kang resigned. There are clear problems with the personnel vetting system. I barely even know the names of the personnel chief or the civil affairs chief. Personnel Secretary Kim Yongchae and Civil Affairs Secretary Jeon Chiyoung—who do all these people belong to? They are said to be part of the Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang faction. In terms of the President’s appointments, even last time, Assemblyman Kim Namguk talked about “Hoonsik hyung, Hyunji nuna,” and Seo Yongju, former Democratic Party spokesman, said “It’s always Kim Hyunji in charge of personnel.” Everything comes down to Kim Hyunji—“All personnel, all roads lead to Hyunji.”

It’s problematic for someone not on the official personnel line to be making these selections. There are serious suspicions that Chief Kim Hyunji, who is not even officially in the personnel line, undertook recommendations, recruitment, vetting, and reported directly to the President. Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik took responsibility, but that’s just the first step in clarifying accountability for the personnel disaster. The entire responsibility structure must be thoroughly uncovered. Ensuring that informal lines do not influence personnel is in the President’s best interest. Look at former President Park Geun-hye—many appointments went through Choi Soon-sil, but we were completely unaware of it at the time. We only found out once the administration ended, when power was gone. It always happens the same way.

So Jongseop: The People Power Party is also calling for these people to be summoned as witnesses for the National Assembly audit, right?

Yoon Sanghyun: At this stage, there isn’t enough to demand resignations. We don’t have recordings or concrete evidence, so we ambitiously intend to put former Chief Jeong Jinsang and Chief Kim Hyunji on the witness stand during the audit, but it likely won't happen. There just aren’t enough members to push it through.

So Jongseop: Do you truly believe Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang are at the heart of the problem?

Yoon Sanghyun: An unofficial faction has always been dominant. I’m certain there’s something there. Allegations such as lobbying with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety or drunk driving were never properly investigated, likely because these were close aides. Who are these close aides? In the end, it appears they are linked to the unofficial faction. That would reasonably explain why concrete vetting was not conducted.

Representative Yoon Sanghyun predicted regarding the 'Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang power faction rumor,' saying, "The unofficial line has always been dominant. There must be something."

So Jongseop: Regarding Korean troop deployment to Hormuz and other issues, how do you assess President Lee Jaemyung’s handling of Korea-U.S. relations?

Yoon Sanghyun: Fundamentally, what’s important is that the United States is an ally. More than 37,000 Americans lost their lives in the Korean War in 1950, and over 100,000 were wounded. Young American soldiers gave their lives for South Korea, a country whose name many had never even heard. That’s what alliances mean. They fought for the values of freedom and democracy. So when the U.S. asks for our help, we need to seriously consider it. We can’t just make calculations for our own benefit—we must see Korea-U.S. relations from the perspective of alliance and national interests.

I believe it was back in February that the idea of deploying troops to Hormuz was proposed. Do you know the Cheonghae Unit currently stationed in the Gulf of Aden? I suggested we at least move them to the outer perimeters of Hormuz to demonstrate support. Now, this administration is considering it, but Democratic Party lawmakers say, “Obtain approval of the National Assembly.” They keep demanding parliamentary consent. The U.S. offers us rights for uranium enrichment, amending the nuclear agreement, authorizing the construction of nuclear submarines—yet we have nothing to show for it. Australia has already started. But why haven’t we advanced? With progress stalling even against North Korea, we must view matters through the lens of the Korea-U.S. alliance and national interest, seize the right timing, and secure comprehensive deals. In diplomacy, there should be no ruling or opposition division. I believe forming a bipartisan task force team to gather opinions is important for overcoming challenges and improving Korea-U.S. relations.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Dongju Yoon

So Jongseop: You’ve been very outspoken, saying that Leader Jang Donghyuk needs to pursue change, innovation, and integration.

Yoon Sanghyun: My criticism comes from affection and genuine concern. I have never once told Leader Jang Donghyuk to step down or resign. Even before and after the election, I encouraged him to be the face of change, innovation, and integration for the party. He needs to lead the party well, for his own growth. Instead of a politics of disciplinary exclusion, we need to move toward change, innovation, and integration. Instead of tying this ship to the narrow harbor of party sentiment, let’s set sail on the vast ocean of public sentiment. I understand the anger on the streets, but we must channel this anger within the system, move from the past to the future, and shift the party from a subtractive to an additive approach, aspiring to be a more value-driven group—one focused on centrism, young people, and winning the capital region.

This is also for Leader Jang Donghyuk’s benefit. Yet he doesn’t take advantage of it. The same goes for President Yoon Sukyeol. This is genuine concern for Leader Jang Donghyuk, not out of dislike.

So Jongseop: Despite comments and media criticism from yourself and many others, Leader Jang Donghyuk seems unaffected. Isn’t that so?

Yoon Sanghyun: That’s correct. That’s why a united faction is needed. Many lawmakers share this view, but are reluctant to speak out publicly. The reason for delivering these critical messages with sincerity is that it will ultimately benefit the leader more.

So Jongseop: What do you think about the possibility of welcoming Assemblyman Han Donghoon back to the party?

Yoon Sanghyun: The right must unite. This goes for both Han Donghoon and Lee Junseok. Ultimately, we must move toward reinstatement and integration. That’s my longstanding theory. It’s not about subtraction, but about addition—and even multiplication—that will save South Korea. To that end, we need to embrace Assemblyman Han Donghoon with open arms, and Han must similarly demonstrate contrition and take responsibility, as should I, President Yoon, and Leader Jang. The failure of the Yoon Sukyeol administration is not only Yoon’s; we all share responsibility and guilt. I believe Assemblyman Han Donghoon and other lawmakers should publicly admit their mistakes to the people, offer apologies, and gather in places like the National Assembly’s Rotender Hall to collectively kneel and beg the public for forgiveness. Such leadership—I encourage Leader Jang Donghyuk to try it. Imagine the applause from the citizenry.

So Jongseop: Today we had the opportunity to hear from Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun of the People Power Party on a range of issues. Thank you for joining us today, despite your busy schedule.

Yoon Sanghyun: Yes, thank you for your work. Thank you.

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