Ruling Party Stirring Issues with Han Dong-hoon and Won Hee-ryong... Opposition's 'Response Cards'

Kim Du-gwan "All I Hear Are Score-Dropping Remarks"
'Talent Recruitment' and Other Challenges to Change the Mood

The People Power Party is actively stirring up issues based on the possibility of well-known figures such as Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, and Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, running in the general election. The 'Inyohan Innovation Committee,' launched last month, attracted attention with its strong reform measures, and policy issues such as the 'Incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul' have also increased public interest.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party of Korea is struggling with the aftermath of former lawmaker Choi Kang-wook's 'female' remark. The leadership quickly moved to contain the situation by imposing a severe punishment of 'six months suspension of party membership,' but the situation worsened as some within the party voiced support for former lawmaker Choi. Additionally, ongoing confusion inside and outside the party?due to Lee Jae-myung's 'trial risk,' the rise of the non-Myeong faction, and rumors of candidacies by 'Jo-Chu-Song (Jo Guk, Chu Mi-ae, Song Young-gil)'?has led to assessments that the party has fallen behind in seizing the issue agenda.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the first meeting of the General Election Planning Group held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Concerns about the Democratic Party losing the initiative are also emerging from within. On the 18th, lawmaker Kim Du-kwan criticized on social media the recent controversy over a youth-disparaging banner, saying, "There are already too many issues to handle, including the electoral system, money envelopes, and coins, yet another accident has occurred. At a time when we should be gaining points, all I hear is talk about losing them."

He continued, "Given our level, how can we criticize the People Power Party, which is blatantly inciting some citizens' desires driven by land and housing prices to gain votes with its Mega Seoul pledge that effectively raises real estate prices? Please get a grip," he said with harsh words.

The Democratic Party appears to be seeking a breakthrough primarily through talent recruitment. Earlier this month, they formed a Talent Committee chaired by Lee Jae-myung and introduced a 'public recommendation system' where citizens can directly recommend talents. On the 24th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-jin explained on SBS Radio, "Since (Lee Jae-myung) is also serving as the Talent Committee chair, we are currently considering and researching how to bring in good people. We are looking into what kind of talents and profiles would be suitable, and since their consent is important, we are considering even the detailed aspects."

Regarding the policies promoted by the People Power Party, Kim said, "Politically and strategically, it seems to be an issue-fighting tactic, but it is a claim that fails to solve the hardships and suffering of Gimpo citizens. It is important to judge what the people truly need, not to prioritize how to politically or strategically exploit it, which often leads to problems."

He added, "We focus on such aspects in our policies. In talent recruitment, we are preparing for future agendas and believe there is a need to respond more aggressively to issues such as the climate change crisis and how to strategically address digital transformation at the national level."

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