Politics · South Korea · 1 day ago
Kim Yong-min says he entered politics to pursue reform, not seek office
Kim Yong-min, a lawmaker from South Korea’s Democratic Party, said he entered politics to pursue prosecution and judicial reform, not to seek a senior position.
He said he would continue that work even if he lost his current authority.
His remarks were seen as a response to President Lee Jae-myung, who had criticized people he said sought powerful posts and then used radical reform as a cause for attacking colleagues.
The dispute is linked to opposition within the party to appointing Kim Ji-yong as head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
Kim Yong-min has warned that appointing former prosecutors to lead the agency could bring it closer to the prosecution service.
He said that could combine criminal investigations and prosecutions, which are meant to be separate.
The sources do not say what will happen with the appointment.
Lawmaker Kim Yong-min said he entered politics to pursue reform, not to seek a position.
He said he is working with colleagues on prosecutorial and judicial reform to create a fair society.
Kim added that he would continue even if he lost his authority as a lawmaker.
His remarks were interpreted as a response to President Lee Jae-myung’s criticism of politicians who seek senior posts and promote radical reform.
- Who
- Kim Yong-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker, made the statement; President Lee Jae-myung had posted the criticism to which it was interpreted as responding.
- What
- Kim said he entered politics to pursue reform, not to seek office.
- When
- Kim made the statement on Oct. 11, 2026. Lee posted his remarks on Oct. 9.
- Where
- Kim posted his statement on Facebook; Lee posted on X.
- Why
- Kim said he had a goal to pursue, including prosecutorial and judicial reform. His statement was interpreted as a response to Lee’s criticism.
Kim Yong-min
Lee Jae-myung
Political motives
Kim Yong-min
Kim said he entered politics to pursue a goal, not to seek a position.
Lee Jae-myung
Lee criticized politicians who, in his view, seek senior posts and advance radical reform as a cause when their demands are not met.
Reform and internal criticism
Kim Yong-min
Kim said he was working with colleagues on prosecutorial and judicial reform and would continue even if he lost his authority.
Lee Jae-myung
Lee said internal attacks made in the name of radical reform were a problem.
I began politics because I had a goal I wanted to achieve, not to seek a position.
Even if I lose that authority, I will continue forward.
It is an even bigger problem when people who lack the ability seek high positions and try to make personnel appointments or national policies conform to their wishes, then, when that fails, invoke radical reform as a cause and attack internally.
The Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency were launched.
Lee posted on X criticizing politicians who seek senior positions and use radical reform as a cause for internal attacks.
Kim posted on Facebook that he entered politics to pursue reform, not to seek a position.
- Statement date
- Oct. 11, 2026
- Kim's party
- Democratic Party
- Lee's post date
- Oct. 9, 2026
- Kim's stated reform goals
- Prosecutorial and judicial reform
Sources
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