Justice Party: "Let's Remove the Constitutional Clause Allowing Only Those Over 40 to Run for President"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The Justice Party proposed on the 30th to abolish the current constitutional provision that restricts the presidential election candidacy age to 40 and above.

The current law, through Article 67 of the Constitution and Article 16 of the Public Official Election Act, grants the right to run for president only to those aged 40 or older as of the election day.

Kang Minjin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, said at a National Assembly press conference that day, "The constitutional clause 'No presidential candidacy under 40' is discriminatory and unfair," adding, "The presidential election should not be the exclusive domain of a specific generation but an opportunity open to all citizens."

Leader Kang emphasized, "Being young does not mean one's dreams to change the world are insignificant. A new generation can imagine a world that the older generation cannot envision," and "Guaranteeing the youth the right to represent the people means giving new imagination, which will open the future of the Republic of Korea, a chance."

He also urged presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties, saying, "I hope each candidate will clarify whether they agree to remove the current age restriction barrier that fundamentally excludes youth from presidential elections and whether they are willing to push for lowering the candidacy age under the Public Official Election Act."

Ryu Hojung, a Justice Party lawmaker, stated, "Generational change in politics is now the public opinion," and "If 36-year-old Lee Junseok can become the leader of the main opposition party, then one should be able to become president even before turning 40."

Jang Hyeyoung, also from the same party, emphasized, "We must enhance the dynamism of the Republic of Korea and strongly guarantee the future that young people will live through politics," adding, "Revising the anachronistic age restriction on candidacy to fit reality is an unavoidable task for Korea in 2021."

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