Kim Yong-min (Korean김용민, born 5 June 1976) is a South Korean lawyer and politician and, since 2020, the Member of the National Assembly for Namyangju 3rd constituency. He is one of the prominent pro-Cho Kuk MPs, along with Kim Nam-kuk and Choe Kang-wook.

Kim Yong-min
김용민
Member of the National Assembly
Assumed office
30 May 2020
Preceded byJoo Kwang-deok
ConstituencyNamyangju 3rd
Personal details
Born (1976-06-05) 5 June 1976 (age 47)
Gangbuk, South Korea
CitizenshipSouth Korean
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materHanyang University
KAIST
OccupationLawyer, politician

Early career edit

Born in Seoul, Kim attended Younghoon High School before majoring in law at Hanyang University.[1][2] He also studied for a Master of Engineering at KAIST.[2]

After qualifying for the bar in 2003, he had been working at the Korean Bar Association and for Lawyers for a Democratic Society (LDS), of which he was the deputy secretary-general.[1][2] In 2013, he defended Naneun Ggomsuda sued for breaching the Public Official Election Act.[1] He was also in charge of defending Yoo Woo-seong, a North Korean defector who was falsely accused as a spy.[2] During the 2016 political scandal, Kim revealed that Ko Young-tae was unfairly examined by the prosecution.[2] In 2018, he defended Chung Bong-ju, who was involved in a sexual harassment controversy.[3]

Political career edit

On 7 February 2020, Kim joined the Democratic Party, along with Kim Nam-kuk.[3][4] Soon after, he became a potential candidate for Namyangju 3rd constituency that was held by Joo Kwang-deok.[5] However, because he became the candidate without any preselections,[6] other pre-candidates protested and some urged him to withdraw.[7]

Following his confirmation as the Democratic candidate for Namyangju 3rd, Kim faced a challenge against the then MP Joo Kwang-deok, who was seeking re-election under the banner of the United Future Party (UFP).[8] The competition was widely described as "Cho Kuk War", as Kim was a strong advocate of the former minister of justice, Cho Kuk, while Joo was a "sniper" against the former minister.[8] In the election on 15 April, Kim defeated Joo with a margin of 4,286 votes.[9]

On 16 April 2021, approximately a year after his election, Kim launched his bid for the party's vice presidency in the by-election on 2 May.[10] He received 17.73% and was elected with the highest votes in an upset victory.[11][12] The Maeil Business Newspaper said that the outcome was due to strong support from pro-Moon Jae-in members.[12]

Political views edit

A progressive figure,[3] Kim is one of strong advocates of Cho Kuk,[8] along with Kim Nam-kuk and Choe Kang-wook.[1][2] He supports the prosecution reforms promoted by the Moon Jae-in government.[1][2]

Election results edit

General elections edit

Year Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks
2020 Namyangju 3rd Democratic 71,776 (50.07%) Won

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "[프로필] '초선' 김용민 최고위원…'친문' 바람 타고 지도부 진출". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "[프로필]법조인 출신 김용민 최고위원…'검찰개혁' 강조". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "'진보성향' 김용민ㆍ김남국 변호사 민주당 입당". 7 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  4. ^ "'檢개혁위' 김용민·'조국 백서' 김남국 변호사 민주당 입당". 7 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  5. ^ "민주당 남양주병 전략공천…예비후보·지지 당원들 반발". 17 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  6. ^ "여, 종로 이낙연·남양주병 김용민·고양병 홍정민 전략공천키로(종합)". 17 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  7. ^ "남양주병 예비후보들 전략공천 김용민 향해 "경선 안할거면 사퇴하라"". 25 February 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "[경기 남양주병]조국전쟁 승자는… '민변출신 김용민' vs '검사출신 주광덕'". 4 April 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  9. ^ "김용민, '조국 대전' 경기 남양주병서 주광덕 꺾고 당선". 16 April 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  10. ^ "민주당 최고위원 출마선언하는 김용민 의원". 16 April 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
    - "김용민 최고위원 출마 "민주당 초심 찾을 것...당의 주인은 당원"". 16 April 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  11. ^ "김용민 의원 민주당 최고위원 당선, 초선으로 1위 기염". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b "親文 최고위원 대거 당선…'親조국' 김용민 예상밖 1위". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.

External links edit