Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has recently appointed Kim Jong-dae, the eldest grandson of the late former President Kim Dae-jung (D.J.), as a political affairs officer within the Prime Minister’s Office.
As per the Prime Minister’s Office, on the 5th, former spokesperson Kim started serving as an officer in the Office of the Political Planning Secretary from last month’s 24th.
He stated to this newspaper, “I am deeply honored to have the chance to contribute as a public servant.” He further mentioned, “I was involved in immigration, refugee issues, and media-related projects at a non-profit in the U.S., and I plan to apply these experiences to support the Prime Minister’s Office.”
Kim Jong-dae is the oldest son of Kim Hong-up, who is the second son of former President Kim Dae-jung and the previous head of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center.
In the previous year’s presidential election, Kim acted as the youth and international media representative for candidate Kim Dong-yeon’s team. Before this year’s local elections, he was involved in Governor Kim’s primary campaign.
Former Prime Minister Kim once held the position of chief secretary under the leader of the Millennium Democratic Party, playing a key role in supporting former President Kim Dae-jung. Even after assuming his current position, he has repeatedly highlighted his ties to the late president during various occasions, declaring, “In essence, I am a person of Kim Dae-jung” (July 14, 2025, speech at the ‘Kim Dae-jung Award’ ceremony). He has also participated in events like the release celebration of Kwon No-gab, a close advisor to former President Kim Dae-jung and head of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation, the 25th anniversary celebration of former President Kim Dae-jung’s Nobel Peace Prize, and the New Year’s greetings hosted by the Kim Dae-jung Foundation.
Some have suggested that Prime Minister Kim’s decision to bring in the eldest grandson of D.J. is part of a strategy ahead of the upcoming party leadership election. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Kim showed interest in the Democratic Party’s leadership race set for August, saying, “The party leader is my love.” As a result, it is possible that Prime Minister Kim may compete against Representative Jeong Cheong-dae, who is seeking re-election in this leadership contest.
Recently, Prime Minister Kim also named lawyer Na Seung-cheol, who served as the defense counsel in President Lee Jae Myung’s election law violation case and in the case involving First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, as the head of the Civil Affairs Office within the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
jasdooit 
Leave a comment