Pro-Lee 'Red Team' Member Kim Young-jin Criticizes Choo Mi-ae

Rep. Kim Young-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea, known within pro-Lee circles as a "Red Team" member for publicly voicing objections even to President Lee Jae-myung, and who just three months ago took on the role of overseeing the government transition for Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, has now publicly criticized Governor Choo.

According to political circles on the 17th, Rep. Kim said on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" that regarding party members who criticize President Lee, including Governor Choo, "we need to face the rain together during difficult times."

Rep. Kim said, "There are external issues with Trump and U.S. relations, the Hormuz strait deployment problem, and internal issues as well," adding "when it rains, the party shouldn't take away the umbrella; instead, we should face the rain together and share an umbrella to overcome difficulties."

In particular, he responded more directly to Governor Choo's demand to withdraw the nomination of Kim Ji-yong, the first candidate for chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

Rep. Kim said, "The CIO should be headed by someone who does investigations best—this aligns with the original purpose of establishing the CIO," questioning "Is the CIO a social club?"

He added, "Openly displaying confrontation seems inappropriate for the public to see," and said "Governor Choo should moderate and adjust her criticism appropriately." Regarding the controversy surrounding Kim's nomination, he said, "Couldn't we just hold a confirmation hearing?"

Rep. Kim's remarks stand out because of his political distance from Governor Choo.

Rep. Kim served as the chief overall strategist for Governor Choo's election campaign during the June 3 local elections and, after her election, took on the role of vice chairman of the transition committee for the governorship, the "Fair, Innovative, and Inclusive Gyeonggi Preparatory Committee."

At the committee's inaugural ceremony, Rep. Kim stated his intention to support Governor Choo-elect's policy direction through rational policies and to serve as a bridge between Gyeonggi Province and the National Assembly.

About two and a half months after the provincial government's launch, Rep. Kim has now publicly applied the brakes to Governor Choo's criticism of the president.

At the same time, Rep. Kim is classified as an "original pro-Lee loyalist" who has shared long-term political activities with President Lee. He has also been recognized as playing a "Red Team" role within pro-Lee circles, conveying opposing opinions when necessary rather than unconditionally agreeing with the president.

Indeed, during the 2024 party constitution and rules amendment process when President Lee was the Democratic Party chairman, Rep. Kim publicly opposed measures such as exceptions to the time limit for the chairman's resignation to run for president. He also emphasized the need for healthy debate within pro-Lee circles, saying "there are too many blindly loyal followers."

Rep. Kim, while close to President Lee, has not shied away from harsh words. This time, however, he has taken issue with Governor Choo's level of criticism.

On the previous day, Governor Choo referenced the "banality of evil" regarding Kim's nomination and insisted "the CIO chief nomination should be withdrawn." At the recently held "2026 Gyeonggi Province Democratic Struggle Memorial Service," she also directly criticized President Lee by mentioning Kim's nomination.

Rep. Kim on this day also recalled internal conflicts within the ruling camp over the four major reform legislations during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Explaining that hard-line stances prevented even National Security Act reform, which was practically possible, he argued that the current prosecutorial and media reform should also be pursued in alignment with feasible levels and directions.

Regarding President Lee's scheduled press conference on the 18th, he said, "I think it would proceed as a first step in building trust rather than anything else."