Presidential Candidate from 'X Generation' Hwang Soon-sik: "I Will Change the Justice Party First and Stand Against 'Old-Style Politics'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Joo-yeon] Hwang Soon-sik, chairman of the Justice Party Gyeonggi Province Committee, officially declared his candidacy for next year's presidential election on the 31st, saying, "Let's create a third zone for greater progress, a strong candlelight coalition that can never betray again."

On this day, Chairman Hwang said at the National Assembly Communication Office during his candidacy declaration, "We must be different from the old conservatives who only talk about economic growth and the old progressives who only talk about democratic reform." He emphasized, "I will start by changing the Justice Party."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "We should not just claim that we were right, but reflect on why we failed to realize what was right," adding, "I will pioneer a different path of progress by meeting new ideas and new people."

Chairman Hwang (born in 1977) introduced himself as a 40s 'X Generation' member, saying, "In the midst of generational conflict, I will not be a mere bystander caught in between, but a communicator connecting eras." He said, "X Generation Hwang Soon-sik enjoyed the fortune of the era of cultural freedom and economic prosperity," and added, "I owe all generations. I want to wash away and repay the 'regret of the times' that both the generation uncomfortable with Seo Taiji and the generation that does not know Seo Taiji at all have, as a member of the Seo Taiji generation."

With Chairman Hwang's candidacy, three candidates including Representative Sim Sang-jung and former Representative Lee Jeong-mi will prepare for next year's presidential election from the Justice Party.

Chairman Hwang expressed his ambition, saying, "Recently, two respected seniors announced their intention to run in the Justice Party presidential primary. However, the Justice Party must change and become young again," adding, "I will take the first step in the primary to replace the representative player."

Chairman Hwang emphasized "a country where all labor citizens are happy," saying, "We must reduce gaps through wealth redistribution and create many ladders for labor mobility through re-education and re-employment." He then mentioned policy agendas such as labor, housing, climate crisis, renewable energy, and peace, stating, "I will announce policies and visions in order."

At the same time, he criticized the hypocritical politics between the entrenched two major parties. He said, "Although it starts with the Justice Party primary, I will persuade all those disillusioned with existing politics," and expressed, "In this most transformative period in history, when the climate crisis, deepening inequality, the US-China new cold war, and the very existence of humanity and the Korean Peninsula are questioned, I will change this strange scene where a rather ordinary and old-fashioned presidential election is taking place more than ever."

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