Kim Jae-yeon

Kim Jae-yeon (; born 30 October 1980) is a South Korean politician and former activist who has served as the leader of the Progressive Party from 2020 to 2022 and since 2024. She was a member of the National Assembly from 2012 to 2014 and the Progressive Party's presidential candidate during the 2022 South Korean presidential election.

A former activist, she joined and led various social activities. Being similar to Lee Jung-hee, she was often known as "the other Lee". She joined MBC Children Choir during primary Form 4. 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. The same year, she ran for the presidency of the South Korean Federation of University Students Councils (SKFUSC), a notable left-leaning student organisation in South Korea, but lost. She was elected to the National Assembly, making her as the first MP graduated from foreign language school in South Korean history.

From 9 to 28 November, she visited nine universities, including Jeonbuk National University, Pusan National University and Korea University. 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. 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. On 5 September, she was appointed the spokesperson of the UPP, formerly solely served by Hong Sung-kyu.

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, suggested by the then Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. Soon, they also launched an indefinite hunger strike. 15 days later, she was brought to a hospital. 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.

Post-MP career Following her removal as an MP, she opened an AfreecaTV account on 25 August 2015.

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

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

Leader of the Progressive Party On 20 June 2020, Kim was elected the Leader of the Minjung Party, following the resignation of the predecessor Lee Sang-kyu. The party also changed its name to the Progressive Party. 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. She also advocates an interest-free student loans. The law prohibits discrimination against minorities such as LGBT people, immigrants, and women.

North Korea Since her MP career, right-leaning critics have been denouncing her as "pro-North Korea". When the emcee also asked about what if North Korea attacks the South, she replied, "Still, we should not fight back." 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. According to police, she also shared the book to her fellow party members in September 2007.

Electoral history General elections Year Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks 2008 Gangnam 2nd DLP 4,535 (4.93%) Defeated 2012 PR (3rd) UPP 2,198,082 (10.30%) Elected 2016 Uijeongbu 2nd PUP 3,810 (3.76%) Defeated 2020 Uijeongbu 2nd Minjung 5,536 (4.33%) Defeated