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Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the People Power Party, walks with PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong after attending a general assembly of party lawmakers at the National Assembly on April 11. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

On April 11, Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate, named first-term lawmaker Kim Yong-tae (35) as the new head of the party’s emergency committee, filling the vacancy left by Kwon Young-se’s resignation. Kim, born in 1990, represents the Pocheon-Gapyeong district.

According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Kim Moon-soo and PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong held a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly earlier that day to discuss the appointment. The nomination was reportedly initiated by Kim himself.

Kim Yong-tae gained attention during the party’s recent internal turmoil over replacing its presidential candidate, where he was the lone voice opposing the motion. He also took part in the resolution calling for the lifting of martial law. Seen as a fresh and youthful figure, he is expected to help attract support from younger voters across ideological lines, particularly the 20s and 30s demographic.

Though a first-term lawmaker, Kim brings substantial leadership experience. He previously served on both the Hwang Woo-yea and Kwon Young-se emergency committees, and was once the PPP’s youth supreme councilor. His political rise began in earnest after defeating a Democratic Party incumbent in the 22nd general election.

Meanwhile, with his candidacy reinstated after the replacement attempt failed, Kim Moon-soo has begun revamping the party’s election structure, naming senior lawmaker Park Dae-chul as secretary general and moving quickly to build his campaign team.