Unified Party Freshmen Aim to Capture 20s and 30s... "Our Party Is Like Mote Solo" Harsh Criticism (Comprehensive)

Voices Calling for '30% Quota for Nomination of Basic Council Members'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] First-term lawmakers of the United Future Party are focusing on expanding their support base among the youth. This reflects the concern that if the party's support base remains concentrated among seniors aged 60 and above, it will be difficult to expect victory in the 2022 presidential election. It means the party must transform into one that can gain the support of not only the middle-aged generation in their 40s and 50s but also those in their 20s and 30s.

Kim Jae-seop and Jeong Won-seok, youth emergency committee members of the United Future Party, did not hold back their criticism of the party during the first-term lawmakers' study group 'Myeongbulheojeon Conservative.' On the 24th, at the study meeting held in the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Kim said, "Our party feels like a 'motae solo' (someone who has never dated). People understand our party's sincerity, but the approach is inappropriate and burdensome," adding, "They say they'd rather date a playboy than a motaesolo. To get out of being a motaesolo, we really need to meet many young people and make efforts to win their hearts."

Kim also mentioned the controversy over direct employment at Incheon Airport Corporation, saying, "To win over the hearts of those in their 20s and 30s, we need to actively send the message that we are on their side, not the side of the strong," and added, "There is a need to redefine the meaning of vested interests. We must firmly address and take clear measures against outdated and corrupt vested interests."

Jeong emphasized, "The younger generation recognizes ability. Isn't there a 'flex' culture? When they judge adults, if they can feel that adults achieve things on their own and breathe for them, then ability and expertise will not be seen as vested interests."

Jeong further stated, "The difference between the United Future Party's 'cider' (refreshing honesty) and the late Roh Hoe-chan of the Justice Party's 'cider,' and between the United Future Party's George Floyd and America's George Floyd, is that we only followed the form, but Roh was firmly established as a politician who fought against vested interests, which makes him more persuasive to the public," adding, "It is hard to understand if the United Future Party suddenly claims to be 'cider.' The Floyd incident relates to anti-discrimination law, but the United Future Party does not accept some parts of the anti-discrimination law, so how can it have appeal?"

Another first-term lawmakers' group, 'Chosimmanri,' proposed the day before to allocate more than 30% of nominations for local council members to those in their 20s and 30s. They said, "Let's guarantee more than 30% of local council nominations to those in their 20s and 30s, verify them over four years, and then nominate them for metropolitan council positions," adding, "A nomination system should be created through multi-year evaluations that allows them to be promoted to local government heads and National Assembly members."

Chosimmanri emphasized, "Next-generation leaders should be nurtured in their 30s and 40s, like French President Emmanuel Macron or former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair." Lawmaker Seo Beom-su said, "About 60% of the United Future Party's responsible party members are in their 50s and 60s, so we need to bring in younger people to increase the moderate voter base."

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