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Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party, has been regarded as the 'de facto protagonist' during the National Assembly's government questioning sessions held from the 12th to the 14th.

After delivering a speech featuring the fish 'Koi,' which called for a shift in the direction of disability policies, the plenary hall, which had been filled with loud voices, was filled with resounding applause. Kim, the first female visually impaired lawmaker in the history of the National Assembly, has been a figure attracting attention for her principled stance against party lines.

On the 14th, Kim spoke as a questioner in the education, social, and cultural sectors during the government questioning session, addressing disability policies. She emphasized the need for legislation to ensure thorough investigation and strict punishment for crimes of abuse against disabled persons, while also calling for effective disability policies.

Concluding her government questioning, Kim introduced the fish Koi to urge a change in the direction of disability policies. She said, "The Koi is also known for the Koi's Law, which states that its growth size varies depending on the environment. In a small fishbowl, it does not exceed 10 cm, but in an aquarium, it grows up to 30 cm, and in a river, it can grow over 1 meter," conveying this message.

"Even now, in our society, there are various fishbowls and aquariums that block the opportunities, potential, and growth of socially vulnerable and minority groups... I hope the government will actively become the river, breaking these fishbowls and aquariums so that the people can freely demonstrate their talents in an environment of equal opportunity."

Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties gave Kim a vigorous round of applause as she stepped down from the podium after her remarks. She was the most notable figure during the government questioning session that day.

Kim Ye-ji, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Kim, a former visually impaired pianist, was recruited as a talent by the Future Korea Party (the predecessor of the current People Power Party) in 2020 and was elected as a proportional representative. Her guide dog, Joy, is also the first guide dog to enter the National Assembly.

Kim left a strong impression on many citizens with her so-called 'kneeling apology' at the protest site of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon). In March last year, when then People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok criticized Jeonjangyeon's morning commute protests as "an absurdity holding millions of Seoul citizens' mornings hostage," Kim personally visited the protest site, knelt down, and apologized.

At that time, Kim said, "I sincerely apologize for not sharing hearts with you (disabled persons) through appropriate word usage and communication, and I apologize on behalf of the political circle as a representative."

She also bowed her head to citizens inconvenienced by the protests, saying, "You experience discomfort on your way to work, and I also experience it, but just imagining it can be infuriating and frustrating. I am truly sorry that you had to go through what the political circle failed to resolve."

In addition, Kim has attracted attention for her principled voting against party lines. On April 27, when the Nursing Act was forcibly passed under the leadership of the Democratic Party in the National Assembly plenary session, People Power Party lawmakers collectively left the plenary hall and abstained from voting.

However, Kim, along with fellow party member Choi Yeon-sook, a nurse by profession, remained until the end and cast a vote in favor. Kim, whose mother has worked as a nurse for over 30 years, is also a co-sponsor of the Nursing Act.

In May, she participated in the proposal of the three family composition rights bills, including the legalization of same-sex marriage (Marriage Equality Act, Non-marital Childbirth Support Act, and Life Partnership Act).

Since the legalization of same-sex marriage is a topic opposed by conservatives, it is inevitably a sensitive issue for politicians, especially those in conservative parties. However, Kim was the only member of the People Power Party to propose the Marriage Equality Act.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.