[Exclusive] Democratic Party, After 'Park Ji-hyun Rejection,' Pushes to Establish Talent Center in Party Think Tank

Plan to Establish Talent Institute under Minjoo Research Institute
Proposal to Utilize 5% of Political Subsidies

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing to establish a Talent Development Center within its in-house think tank, the Minjoo Research Institute. The aim is to institutionally set up a talent cultivation system to revitalize youth politics, which has been addressed only in a patchwork manner during elections.

No Woong-rae, head of the Minjoo Research Institute, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 11th, "I conveyed to the Emergency Response Committee that the regulations for establishing a Talent Development Center must be included when revising the party constitution and rules." Woo Sang-ho, chairman of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, stated at a press briefing the day before, "A stable system for discovering and nurturing talent under the Minjoo Research Institute must be established so that the party can cultivate new future talents," adding, "I asked Director No to design such a system."

Director No's plan is to create a Talent Development Center under the Minjoo Research Institute that can conduct training and education for party members and the general public, and to build a structure linking it with the party. Although the Democratic Party operates talent education programs such as the 'Youth Politics School,' these remain at the educational level and have limited practical linkage. He argued, "It is difficult because every election we try to find people (youth) at the last minute," and added, "A Talent Development Center is necessary to proactively discover talent and support training and education centered on party members and the general public."

The Minjoo Research Institute has also proposed to the leadership that at least 5% of the party's regular subsidy be allocated to education and training for young politicians within the party. According to the current Political Funds Act, at least 30% of the regular subsidy must be used for policy research institutes, at least 10% for city and provincial party organizations, and at least 10% for the advancement of women in politics. The proposal is to add a minimum 5% allocation for youth. Additionally, plans to establish a separate youth party within the party are also being considered.

Director No emphasized, "Just as the youth wind brought in former co-chair Park Ji-hyun to the party, youth politics cannot take root by temporarily utilizing and then discarding them."

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