[Interview] Jang Kyung-tae "Shared Innovation with Lee Jae-myung... Must Move Beyond Placard Politics and Increase 2040 Lawmakers to 30%"

Democratic Party Supreme Council Member Candidate Declaration by 'Cheoreomhoe' Member
"Propose 'Generational Balance Nomination System' to Keep Specific Generation Under 50%"
"Talent Recruitment Important to Expand Scope While Absorbing New Values"
"Consulted with Rep. Lee Jae-myung as Party Innovation Chair... Will Present Innovation Alternatives"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "Shouldn't there be at least one young person among the Supreme Council members?"

On the 12th, Representative Jang Kyung-tae, who announced his candidacy for the Supreme Council election of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) this August, said in an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, "The most vulnerable parts of the Democratic Party are 'communication and talent,'" emphasizing the need to improve the party's outdated communication structure and recruit innovative talents. He stated that increasing the number of lawmakers in their 20s to 40s is necessary.

Jang Kyung-tae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

He particularly pointed out that politicians aged 50 and above account for more than 60% in the National Assembly, criticizing the "serious generational imbalance." He said, "In companies, there are plenty of CEOs in their 40s, but in politics, 40-somethings are treated like children, which is a problem in Korean politics," and stressed, "To expand the party's scope, lawmakers from various generations must come together and raise their voices."

He added, "I do not agree with the '586 retirement theory,' but I believe there should be fair competition without 'friend nominations.' We will implement a 'generational balance nomination system' to ensure that no specific generation exceeds 50%, increasing the proportion of candidates in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to up to 30% of the total. That is how we can foster the party's dynamism."

Although the Democratic Party emphasizes communication with party members, it is concentrated only during elections and lacks continuous communication. To strengthen communication between the party and its members, and among members themselves, he proposed the '3 Major New Innovation Plans.' Candidate Jang, who pledged ▲Meta Party ▲OTT Party ▲Market Party, explained, "Having been a rank-and-file member longer than any other lawmaker, I understand and can implement communication and opinion expression with party members better than anyone else."

Candidate Jang began his political career as a volunteer for the Uri Party in the 4th local elections in 2006. After being appointed the first special university student committee chairman of the Democratic Party in 2008, he served as vice chairman of the National Youth Committee, youth special advisor during President Moon Jae-in's campaign, and spokesperson for the Youth Committee, representing the voice of the young generation within the party. He emphasized, "Except for the two years as a lawmaker, I have always been a rank-and-file member. Former emergency committee member Park Ji-hyun showed leadership politics from the start, which is different from me. I can demonstrate the model of youth politics."

He is also a member of the party's research group 'Cheoreomhoe,' classified as pro-Lee Jae-myung (Pro-Lee Jae-myung faction). Regarding Representative Lee Jae-myung, who is about to declare his candidacy for party leader, he said, "I have consistently shared opinions with him through the Innovation Committee and the Party Development Committee," and added, "I am confident in my understanding of the innovation philosophy and can propose the best alternatives for innovation."

Below is a Q&A session.

Jang Kyung-tae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-Background for challenging the Supreme Council membership

While serving as the Innovation Committee chairman, I realized that the Democratic Party needs 'innovation and change' now. I will become a Supreme Council member who places party members, youth, and innovation at the center. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and former emergency committee member Park Ji-hyun of the Democratic Party started from leadership, but I started as a university student volunteer and now aim to become the youngest Supreme Council member. I will show what youth politics truly is.

-Current problems of the Democratic Party

It is regrettable that the party does not communicate well with its members. The decision-making structure only considers party members' opinions during elections. I doubt whether this can be called broad communication. Even the blog-level homepage is problematic. Although it is called a platform party, the only thing introduced is the party member voting system. We need to create a platform where party members can share not only politics but also travel, hobbies, and more, to strengthen communication and build a foundation for solidarity. We must move beyond the limitations of being a party that only posts public notices.

-You mentioned creating two special committees if elected Supreme Council member

I believe 'Party Member Communication Special Committee' and 'Youth Talent Development Special Committee' are necessary. The Democratic Party's most vulnerable issues are 'communication' and 'talent.' As someone who has been a rank-and-file member for a long time, I can say that during youth policy decision-making, we were not given voting rights or even speaking rights, yet we were blamed when the party made mistakes. The process of deciding party policies is also closed. Since these policies are made for party members and the public, I hope to open a 'market' where they can participate in legislation and other activities.

Youth talent development is also important. We need to absorb new values and expand our scope, but currently, there is no such consideration. I will ensure that candidates in their 20s, 30s, and 40s can make up to 30% of the next general election candidates. Currently, the 50-year-old lawmaker ranks 157th in age order among 253 constituency seats, meaning 62.1% are aged 50 or older.

I do not agree with the '586 retirement' theory. However, it is problematic that more than half belong to a specific generation. In society, people in their 40s play a central role and are often CEOs of companies, but in politics, they are treated like children. This is a problem in Korean politics. People in their 40s should be able to play their roles in politics as well.

Jang Kyung-tae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

-Representative Lee Jae-myung is also about to declare his candidacy. There is talk of 'Eodaemyeong' (everyone supports Lee). What synergy will you create with the party leader if you become a Supreme Council member?

I will lead innovation focusing on the '3 Major New Innovation Plans' centered on Meta Party, OTT Party, and Market Party. The media labels me as 'pro-Lee faction,' 'moderate,' or 'hardliner.' Various labels are attached, but since I rose from the grassroots, my strength lies in smooth communication with anyone.

-Pro-Lee faction lawmakers are continuing to run for Supreme Council. What is your unique strength?

Having worked with Representative Lee in the Innovation Committee and Party Development Committee, I have a deep understanding of the innovation philosophy. I am confident that I can propose the best alternatives for innovation.

-What leadership qualities should the party leader have as the opposition leader?

The two most required virtues for an opposition leader are 'clarity' and 'governing capability.' It is important to voice opinions that differentiate from the ruling party, but simply obstructing is not acceptable. The leader must have clarity while also possessing governing capability. People should want to trust and follow the direction proposed by the opposition leader, leading to votes. In other words, the next party leader should be able to expand 'recognition-popularity-support.'

-Your determination as a young politician

I did not decide to run for Supreme Council alone. There were recommendations from out-of-office regional chairpersons, city and provincial youth committee chairs, young party members, and senior lawmakers within the party. They urged me to show proper youth politics. I will ensure that youth politics is not just empty rhetoric. Just as rainwater must fall on the ground to moisten the soil, I will play a role in making youth politics a substantial force like rain, not just clouds.

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