Kim Jae-yeon (politician)

In 2006, she joined the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and was subsequently appointed the Deputy Spokesperson, as well as the Director of the Student Organisation.[4][1][2]

Prior to the 2008 election, the DLP faced an internal conflict[4] and the dissidents including Sim Sang-jung left the party and formed the New Progressive Party (NPP). In order to overcome its hardship, the party brought a decision to put as many candidates for constituencies as possible.[4][1][2] As no candidates were in Gangnam District, Seoul, Kim registered for Gangnam 2nd constituency[1][2] to be "rooted" in the area.[4] She received approximately 4.9% and was not elected.[4]

Following the defeat, she briefly returned as an activist amid the US beef protest.[4] In 2011, she served as the President of the Commission of 21C Korea College Students' Union.[6][5]

On 12 March 2012, prior to the 2012 election, Kim was selected the 3rd list of the Unified Progressive Party (UPP), defeating Kim Ji-yoon.[7][8] She was elected to the National Assembly, making her as the first MP graduated from foreign language school in South Korean history.[9]

From 9 to 28 November, she visited 9 universities, including Jeonbuk National University, Pusan National University and Korea University.[10] In Chungbuk National University, she received requests from students to change the old chairs and desks, as well as enhancing the air conditioning and heating systems.[10] She then sent these requests to the Chancellor.[10] Some students gave positive and supportive responds.[10]

On 20 January 2013, Kim suggested an amendment of the Income Tax Act that includes religious taxation.[11] On 22 February, during the hearing session of the Deputy Prime Minister-nominee Hyun Oh-seok, she revealed that Hyun had acquired a master's degree in public administration at Seoul National University during the national service.[12] On 5 September, she was appointed the spokesperson of the UPP, formerly solely served by Hong Sung-kyu.[13]

On 6 November, the UPP MPs including Kim, shaved their heads as a sign of protest against the Government's suggestion to ban and dissolve their parties,[14][15] suggested by the then Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn.[16] Soon, they also launched an indefinite hunger strike.[17] 15 days later, she was brought to a hospital.[18] Despite of their protests, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution and prohibition of the party on 19 December 2014, in which the elections of its all MPs were nullified.[19]

Following her removal as an MP, she opened an account of afreecaTV on 25 August 2015.[20]

On 20 March 2016, prior to the 2016 election, she joined the newly formed People's United Party (PUP), in which was denounced as the "another UPP" by critics.[21] She ran for Uijeongbu 2nd constituency[22] but lost.[23] In the end of the year, she opened a bookshop named Bookshop of Life.[24]

In December 2017, following the PUP's merger with the New People's Party (NPP) into the Minjung Party, she was appointed the spokesperson.[25] In February 2020, she was again selected the Minjung candidate for Uijeongbu 2nd constituency at the 2020 election,[26] but came behind of Kim Min-chul and Lee Hyung-seop.[27]

On 20 June 2020, Kim was elected the Leader of the Minjung Party,[28][29] following the resignation of the predecessor Lee Sang-kyu. The party also changed its name to the Progressive Party.[28][29]

Kim is a supporter of full free education, from kindergarten to university.[30] In 2007, she said that should the then President Roh Moo-hyun purchased at least 6% of the education budget, at least 70% students can be educated freely.[31] She also advocates an interest-free student loan.[31]

In April 2013, she was one of MPs suggested the Anti-discrimination Law to the National Assembly.[32][33] The law prohibits discrimination against minorities i.e. LGBT, immigrants, women and so on.[32] Though the law was advocated by LGBT activists, those on the Christian right harshly criticised the law.[32][33] 2 DUP MPs — Kim Han-gil and Choi Won-shik, who also suggested the law, withdrew their decisions.[33]

In January 2018, she publicly supported a TV programme Candid Men and Women for broadcasting issues related to LGBT rights.[34]

Since her MP career, right-leaning critics have been denouncing her as "pro-North Korea".[3][1]

On 4 June 2012, during an interview with KBS, the emcee asked her to confirm her view towards North Korea.[3] She answered, "If a person does not want to recognise North Korean regime, it means that he/she wants a war with them".[3][35] When the emcee also asked about what if North Korea attacks the South, she replied, "Still, we should not fight back."[3][35]