Kim Jong-cheol, New Leader of the Justice Party, Says "I Hope the Two Major Parties Feel Tension"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Kim Jongcheol, the newly elected leader of the Justice Party, said in his victory speech, “A time will come when the two major parties must present their positions on the agendas put forth by the Justice Party,” adding, “The two major parties should be on alert.” From the outset of his candidacy, he declared his intention to break away from the so-called ‘Democratic Party’s second fiddle’ label and strengthen the progressive party’s identity.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Right after his election on the 9th, Kim posted on Facebook, “Until now, the Justice Party has been perceived as a party that evaluates the agendas created by the two major parties, the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party,” and said, “That era is now coming to an end.”

He stated, “The Justice Party is a progressive party,” and added, “Starting with progressive policies such as wealth tax, universal healthcare, and free education, we will improve the lives of countless citizens suffering from inequality, unfairness, discrimination, and exclusion.”

Kim said, “Among all parties, the Justice Party has the face that most resembles the people. The growth of our Justice Party ultimately means the people are moving forward,” and urged, “Approaching power means that the welfare state will come to us faster. I hope you hold the belief and pride that the party’s growth is the shortcut to the people’s happiness.”

He continued, “I ask the people to take out an important insurance for the future called the progressive Justice Party,” and added, “If you pay the insurance premium of warm love and support, the Justice Party will repay you with the gift of a welfare state.”

Finally, he emphasized the realization of the agendas he had stressed since his candidacy announcement. Kim said, “We will move toward a society centered on people rather than money, a society where elderly people who have to collect recyclables to survive disappear, a society where substantive gender equality is realized, youth independence is guaranteed, and all children born can live with dignity as human beings regardless of their parents’ economic status.”

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