‘86 Group’ Core Member Lee In-young: "If We've Done Our Job, We Should Be Able to Step Down... 70s and 80s Generation Can Bring a New Breeze"

Lee In-young: "I Will Devote Myself to the Emergence of New Leadership Even If It Means Abandoning Myself"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee In-young, a senior member of the ‘86 Group’ (those born in the 1960s who entered university in the 1980s) and a Democratic Party lawmaker, appeared on the radio program BBS Buddhist Broadcasting’s 'Jeon Young-shin’s Morning Journal' on the 15th and said, “I believe that once you have done your duty, you should be able to step down at any time.” He added, “There are many excellent and promising politicians born in the 1970s and 1980s. I think they are more than capable of bringing a new wind.” Lee, a four-term lawmaker and a symbol of the 86 generation, is a former chairman of the National Student Union and a key member of the activist faction within the Democratic Party.

However, Lee said, “Rather than saying ‘the entire specific generation should step down,’ I think it is more natural and better to respect individual free will and the process of evaluation by voters.”

Regarding Democratic Party politicians born in the 1970s and 1980s, he said, “When these individuals step forward, I hope each of them comes out fully loaded with the new values and lines they emphasize. I will gladly support them and dedicate myself to new leadership, even if it means abandoning myself.”

On the rules of the party convention, he said, “Basically, not only the party’s internal opinion but also public opinion should be reflected.” He added, “No matter what justification is presented, the devil is in the details of these rules, and issues of interests and advantages inevitably come into play. If we cling too much to that, it can be seen as factionalism or hegemonism, so if there is an agreement, we should change the rules, and if not, it is better to proceed as is.”

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