Kim Nam-guk: "'586 Retirement Theory' Suddenly Emerges... Forcing Someone to Leave Abruptly Is Violent"

Jihyun Park on '586 Resignation Theory': Namguk Kim Says "Some Points Are Relatable, but There Was No Public Discussion"

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the confirmation hearing for Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Regarding Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, and her party reform proposal including the '586 (people in their 50s, college students in the 1980s, born in the 1960s) retirement theory,' Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk criticized, "We should discuss and deliberate together, but it was inappropriate to suddenly bring it up without any prior consideration."

On the 25th, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpanseungbu' and said, "I think there are parts of the content that many people can sympathize with," but added, "The timing and the need to publicize and discuss these issues should have been there, but it suddenly popped up without any of that."

He emphasized, "Although our party's senior members of the 86 generation have positive and honorable aspects, is it really appropriate to stigmatize them negatively as if they must now leave?" and said, "I don't think so."

He continued, "Even in companies or businesses, when offering voluntary retirement, they respect and honor those people and provide severance pay," and criticized, "How violent and intimidating would it be to suddenly say, 'You must leave' without any of that?"

Kim said, "Apologies are continuously made before elections, but I wonder if such apologies are truly effective," and added, "Even if apologies are made, now we must practically innovate, reform, and show results."

On the 24th, eight days before the June 1 local elections, Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office to make a final public appeal to rally support. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Meanwhile, on the 24th, Park held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly and promised reform, saying, "We will not be trapped in blind support. We will make this a mass party, not a fandom party." The next day, on the 25th, at a joint meeting of the party's election committee, she raised the demand for reform by targeting the party's '86 group,' saying, "They should prepare for a graceful exit."

However, the leadership downplayed this as a 'personal opinion,' sparking conflict with Park. It was reported that at the joint meeting of the party's election committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th, there was a clash intense enough for loud voices to be exchanged.

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