Kim Tae-nyeon

Kim Tae-nyeon is a South Korean politician and former activist who previously served as the parliamentary leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. He was the acting President of the party from 9 March to 8 April 2021. He is also the Member of the National Assembly for Seongnam Sujeong.

Early life

Kim Tae-nyeon was born in Suncheon, South Jeolla in 1965. His father was a cobbler while his mother was a fish seller at a market. He attended Suncheon High School and obtained a bachelor's and a master's degree in public administration at Kyung Hee University. His early dream was to be a journalist.

Kim used to be the President of the Student Council at Kyung Hee University Suwon Campus, as well as a member of the Association of National University Student Representatives. He led a student movement during the June Struggle. Other than these, he also led various local movement in Seongnam.

He was brought to the Democratic Party">Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)">Democratic Party by the then President Kim Dae-jung in 2000. In 2003, he left the MDP and formed the National Political Party for Reform that was later merged into the Uri Party, along with Rhyu Si-min. He, however, helped the MDP presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun during the 2002 [South Korean presidential election|presidential election in December].
Kim was firstly elected to the National Assembly in 2004 election, defeating the GNP candidate Kim Eul-dong with a majority of 13.7%. Being just 39-year-old, he was the youngest MP-elected at the election. He was appointed one of the deputy parliamentary leaders of the Uri Party in February 2007. He lost to Shin Yeong-su in 2008 election by 129 votes majority.
Kim successfully made a comeback in 2012 election, receiving 54.76% and defeated Shin. In 2017 presidential election, he helped the Democratic presidential candidate Moon Jae-in.
In May 2019, Kim contested the party's election for parliamentary leadership but lost to Lee In-young. On 7 May 2020, he contested again and was elected the parliamentary leader of the Democratic Party.
On 9 March 2021, Kim became the acting President of the Democratic Party following the resignation of Lee Nak-yon, which was considered to run for the upcoming presidential election. However, he resigned on 8 April following the party's huge suffer in the 2021 by-elections.

On 22 January 2018, Kim provoked a controversy when he sent a note to the Minister of Employment and Labour Kim Young-joo. The note was saying, "Don't make an issue of Suncheon Job World. Kim Tae-nyeon's business." The same day, he also made a mistake when he said that the 2018 Winter Olympics would be held in Pyongyang.
On 5 October, during the celebration of 11th anniversary of the 2007 North–South Summit Declaration held in Pyongyang, he was told by Ri Son-gwon, "Don't task financial issues to a big belly".