'Yadangbonsek' Euljiro Committee Revival… Woo Won-sik "We Must Return to the Field"

'Restarting Euljiro Wi' Morning Special Lecture Held
Inaugural Chairman Woo Won-sik "Must Establish Inequality Resolution Policy"

On the 22nd, Jin Seong-jun, chairman of the Euljiro Committee, Woo Won-shik, and other participants attending the Democratic Party of Korea's 'Euljiro Committee Morning Lecture - The Euljiro Committee Rising Again' forum held at the National Assembly are shouting "Fighting" and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Euljiro Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, which was launched in 2013 during its time as the opposition party, has officially resumed activities by redefining the direction of the Democratic Party now that it is again in opposition. Woo Won-sik, a prospective party leader and the first chairman of the Euljiro Committee, emphasized the importance of returning to the field, focusing on livelihood-related activities and legislative initiatives on the 22nd.

On this day, the Euljiro Committee held the fourth week of its morning special lectures titled "The Euljiro Committee Rising Again" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

Jin Sung-jun, the committee chairman, said, "Now that we are once again in the position of the opposition, we prepared this special lecture with the thought that by looking back at when the Euljiro Committee started as the opposition, we might be able to engrave anew the roles and activities the committee should undertake to revive the Democratic Party."

Woo, who gave the first presentation of the day, highlighted the committee’s livelihood-focused field activities and pointed out that the Democratic Party neglected citizen engagement during its time as the ruling party. He explained, "The Euljiro Committee created a new form of 'field politics' through on-site activities and also derived our agenda. We worked on three key issues: improving labor conditions, resolving unfair contracts for small business owners, and correcting unfair trade practices against small and medium enterprises."

He added, "During our time as the opposition, the Euljiro Committee proposed many bills, but when we had 180 seats as the ruling party, we did nothing. We need to reflect on why we passed the prosecution reform law so quickly but failed to pass livelihood reform laws, and how much will we had to address livelihood issues, stop the tyranny of the powerful, wipe away the tears of the weak, and reform conglomerates."

Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a lecture titled "Back to the Field" at the "Euljiro Committee Morning Special Lecture - The Euljiro Committee Rising Again" forum held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Regarding the current situation of the Democratic Party, Woo stated, "We must establish a strong line based on the value of being a 'party for the common people and the middle class,' focusing on resolving severe inequality and polarization." He assessed, "In the current administration, the alliance of conglomerates, prosecution, conservative media, and vested interests has grown stronger. The task of economic democratization is increasingly becoming the most critical front for us."

He also stressed the importance of fieldwork. "We must resolve conflicts on the ground, prepare policy and legislative alternatives, and strengthen practical solidarity with the vulnerable," he said. "The party should be structured around livelihood agendas and become a party where those in need can come to find support."

During the discussion session, realistic questions were raised such as, "Is party structural reform difficult unless one becomes party leadership?" and "How can people who had 180 seats and ruled for five years but did nothing leave an impression on the public?" In response, Woo said, "In that sense, it is more difficult than when we first started. Since the Euljiro Committee is part of the parliamentary leadership, efforts to pass long-stalled agendas are now intertwined with the party convention. We need to focus on the party’s direction and discuss it intensively within the party."

Meanwhile, Woo hinted at running in the party leadership election scheduled for August. When asked by reporters about his candidacy, he said, "I always think that the party must be transformed into one centered on the Euljiro Committee and that the party structure must be changed, and I want to create an opportunity to realize that." Regarding plans to declare his candidacy, he replied, "I am currently in discussions with people around me."

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