'Saenggak Noliteo', a 'Thinking Playground' Gathering Politicians and Citizens, Opens in Yeouido on the 26th

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The political culture platform "How's," which aims to be an open space created by politicians and citizens to foster a new political culture, will open on the 26th.

The political culture platform How's announced on the 17th that it has completed all establishment procedures and will officially open on the 26th. Ahead of the official opening, a media showcase for the press will be held on the afternoon of the 21st.

How's already held its founding general meeting in a private internal event last August and has been conducting behind-the-scenes work over the past two months in accordance with social distancing guidelines due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Legally established as a cooperative, How's consists of ▲'How's Cafe,' a complex cultural space ▲'Chaekbang How's,' an independent bookstore for humanities and social sciences ▲an academy program called 'Yeouido Class.' Additionally, members themselves will operate various small groups and book clubs.

Oh Shin-hwan, former lawmaker and chairman of How's, said, "The political culture platform How's is not an organization but a space, an open space created together by politicians and citizens who have a special interest in creating a new political culture," adding, "It aims to be a 'playground for thought' where people interact, learn, and communicate."

Former lawmaker Oh said, "The reality is that the National Assembly and political parties, where ruling and opposition parties engage in daily disputes over sudden political issues, inevitably become battlegrounds," and expressed his ambition, saying, "How's will develop into an open space where diverse people, regardless of ruling or opposition parties, conservatives or progressives, gather to respect each other's differences and reflect on the value of politics and civic common sense."

He added, "In the current situation where uncertainty about the future is extremely high due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than rushing to make premature claims, we intend to start by asking 'questions' to ourselves first," and said, "We will look at the pains and problems of our society that politics, drifting in the quagmire of factional confrontation, has overlooked with a longer breath and serious perspective, and together with citizens, we will question and reflect on what the causes are and how to overcome them."

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