[Youth Politics Report] "If You Don't Vote for Youth, Who Will Lead Politics in 10 Years?"

Interview with Hye-min Park, CEO of 'Jeolmchiin' Agency Newways

Park Hyemin, CEO of New Ways (29), is being interviewed by our newspaper on the 15th at the office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Park Juni]

[Asia Economy Reporter Junyi Park] As interest in youth politics grows, nonprofit organizations dedicated solely to nurturing young politicians are emerging. NewWays, a nonprofit organization supporting young politicians, is regarded as the first youth political startup in Korea. In just over a year since its launch, NewWays has accumulated 853 members and fielded 95 candidates in the recent local elections. Among them, it contributed to the election of 33 candidates. Park Hyemin, CEO of NewWays (29), said she started this service with the question, "Why isn't the life I live treated as important?" The following is a Q&A.

- What kind of organization is NewWays?

▲ It is an agency that nurtures local 'Jeolmchiin (young politicians)' together with voters, and it has been operating as a nonprofit organization since February last year. Since it manages candidates nationwide, it mainly operates online. So far, it has focused on recruiting candidates intensively and provided guidance such as a candidacy checklist and lectures through non-face-to-face education, and conducted feedback sessions by connecting candidates with incumbent local council members. For voters, it introduces who the candidates are and facilitates connections through meetings and interviews with candidates in their own constituencies.

- What motivated you to start this project?

▲ Various coincidences overlapped. In my twenties, I encountered power-related sexual violence cases involving three metropolitan government heads, and dynamic incidents such as the so-called 'Telegram Nth Room' and the Me Too movement occurred one after another. In such a situation, I always had the question, "There is no one like me among decision-makers, so why isn't the life I live treated as important?" When I looked at the actual data, I realized that young politicians were extremely scarce. I thought I could create change that maximizes individual influence, and conceived the 'agency model' where voters could participate together.

- How do you evaluate the results of this local election?

▲ Since it was a local election held right after the presidential election, it was not a fully independent local election. The structure was formed as an extension of the presidential election, and there were visible limitations in that what was truly needed or discussed within local politics was not sufficiently debated. On the other hand, as the focus shifted to the presidential election phase, voices calling for opportunities and authority for young politicians grew louder, but it was not a safe method where people prepared through a sufficient system appeared.

- What do you mean by a safe method?

▲ There is no structure within political parties where each candidate can steadily grow, prepare, be welcomed within local politics, and become a politician. Not only a few outstanding individuals like former Democratic Party co-chair Park Ji-hyun or People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok get opportunities, but there should be a system where anyone who decides can participate. Such a model should exist within political parties, but in reality, there is none. I believe a permanent talent team within the party is necessary.

- Some parties have tried nomination reforms and youth quotas; how do you evaluate these efforts?

▲ The attempts themselves were valid, but I think the system alone was insufficient in terms of opening opportunities. The reason the effectiveness of the quota system continues to be questioned is that the nomination system itself is not supported. Holding qualification tests or quotas only during elections is just a momentary event. Fundamentally, how to innovate the nomination system and nurture talent was missing.

- What role did NewWays play in this local election?

▲ We helped voters experience that their lives and politics are not far apart, and at the same time, helped candidates make their decisions. About 10% of the elected candidates this time were elected through NewWays. Among them, one or two candidates made their decision and were elected through NewWays.

- Some argue that young politicians alone cannot represent young people.

▲ The need for young politicians is not about pushing anyone out but about expanding and sustaining the possibilities of politics. If we do not nurture politicians now, who will do politics in 10 years? Over 70% of current politicians are over their 50s; will they continue politics in 5 or 10 years? Good politics requires diverse people coming together to make decisions.

- What are NewWays’ short- and long-term goals?

▲ I hope voters can have higher expectations for politics. To do that, communication must be effective and well-heard, and politics must become more diverse and younger. To increase the diversity of local leadership, we aim to increase the number of candidates. Specifically, we are looking toward the 2024 general election. Still, over 80% of party members are male, and the average age is in the 50s. To diversify party leadership, I believe some role in the general election is necessary.

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