Kim Yong, former deputy head of the Institute for Democracy and known as a "close aide" to President Lee Jae-myung, appeared at the National Assembly. He did so to promote a book he is publishing while out on bail after receiving a prison sentence on appeal over alleged illegal presidential election funds, and not only the Democratic Party of Korea leader but also Seoul mayoral candidates turned out in force. With the final court ruling still pending, there is speculation that the former deputy head Kim is considering running in the local elections in June.
On the afternoon of the 12th at the National Assembly, the former deputy head Kim held a publication ceremony and talk concert under the theme "Our dreams, dreams beyond." The former deputy head Kim released a book titled "The usefulness of the president" on the 9th. More than 60 Democratic Party lawmakers, including party leader Jung Chung-rae and floor leader Han Byung-do, attended the event. Democratic Party Seoul mayoral candidates, including Park Ju-min and Seo Young-kyo, took part in the talk concert.
The former deputy head Kim said, "I am very grateful that so many Democratic Party lawmakers came, enough to feel like a general assembly of lawmakers. What each lawmaker says shows they know my case well," and added, "If I were to write about what I went through with prosecutors for three years, even 10 volumes in a series wouldn't be enough."
Together with Jeong Jin-sang, former chief of political affairs coordination for the Democratic Party, the former deputy head Kim is cited as the "closest of the close aides" to President Lee. After serving as a Seongnam city council member and as a Gyeonggi Province Spokesperson, he is also called one of the "original Seongnam line quartet." President Lee has referred to him as a "double" and said "only someone like Kim Yong counts as a close aide."
The former deputy head Kim is on trial on charges of receiving hundreds of millions of won in illegal presidential campaign funds from the so-called "Daejang-dong ring," including Yoo Dong-gyu, former Seongnam Development Corporation Deputy Minister, during the 20th presidential election. In February last year, the appellate court handed down a five-year prison sentence, and he is currently out on bail on the condition of a 50 million won bond and residence restrictions.
Democratic Party lawmakers argued for the former deputy head Kim's innocence at the event. Party leader Jung Chung-rae said, "If Chief Justice Jo Hee-de's judiciary is in its right mind, I believe the former deputy head Kim will receive a reversal and remand on grounds of innocence," while floor leader Han Byung-do said, "To restore normalcy, after the Lunar New Year we will firmly complete reforms of the prosecution and the courts so that the former deputy head Kim can return to his place."
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik also said at the publication ceremony, "The former deputy head Kim endured (life in confinement) well, and I hope only good things happen going forward," adding, "He went through hardship, and people must develop grit to become stronger. The former deputy head Kim, who stands straight without twisting, introduces through his book how he overcame his ordeal."
Starting with the National Assembly event on the 12th, the former deputy head Kim will embark on a nationwide tour in the order of Gyeonggi, Gwangju, North Jeolla, Busan and Daejeon. Considering his increasing outside activities, there is speculation that he will run in the local elections in June or in National Assembly by-elections. Among possible by-election districts being mentioned are Gyeyang B in Incheon, which was President Lee's constituency, and Pyeongtaek B in Gyeonggi Province, which was former lawmaker Lee Byung-jin's constituency.