A former activist, she joined and led various social activities. Being similar to Lee Jung-hee, she was often known as "the other Lee".[1][2] However, critics have denounced her for pro-North Korea views.[3][1]
Early life and education
Kim Jae-yeon was born as a daughter of a conservative family in Daegu but moved to Seoul for secondary education.[4] She joined MBC Children Choir during primary Form 4.[4]
She was educated at Daeil Foreign Language High School.[4][1][2] However, in an interview with the left-leaning Voice of the People, she revealed that she did not study properly as a protest against the high school's "competitive" system, adding that the high school was what her parents wanted.[4] She also continued that she rather wrote several poems and fell in love with student activism.[4]
Due to this career, she and other members were wanted by the government for three years.[4][1][2] However, she later revealed that she was never arrested as police are not allowed to enter the campus.[4] She was first detained by police in November 2004 for leading a protest for the abolishment of the National Security Act in front of the National Assembly Proceeding Hall.[4][1][2]
Political career
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]
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 MinisterHwang Kyo-ahn.[16] Soon, they also launched an indefinite hunger strike.[17] 15 days later, she was brought to a hospital.[18] Despite 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]
Post-MP career
Following her removal as an MP, she opened an AfreecaTV account 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]
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]
Political position
Education
Kim is a supporter of full free education, from kindergarten to university.[30] In 2007, she said that should the then PresidentRoh 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]
LGBT rights
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] Two 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]
North Korea
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]
Personal life
Kim met Choi Ho-hyun, the founder of the Capitalism Research Society, in 2009.[4] Both then married in March 2010.[4][36] She was arrested by police in April 2011 for owning approximately 90 books praising Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, such as With the Century.[36][37] According to police, she also shared the book to her fellow party members in September 2007.[36] She had also previously visited Venezuela and Cuba.[36] In February 2017, she revealed that her husband was studying in Germany. Her husband passed away on 22 April 2023.[38]