Munyeongjin Moon and Ilgon Choi, Mokpo City Preliminary Candidates, Urge Democratic Party to Guarantee 'Youth Primary Election Opportunity'

Joint Press Conference on Youth Nomination for Mokpo's Re-advancement and Innovation

On the 20th, Moon Yong-jin and Choi Il-gon, young preliminary candidates running for the National Assembly seat in Mokpo City under the Democratic Party of Korea, held a joint press conference urging, "Please practically guarantee fair competition opportunities for young candidates."

The young Democratic Party candidates explained, "Without innovative challenges and attempts in Honam, the heart of the Democratic Party, there can be no victory in the general election," adding, "Moreover, without innovative nominations, there will be no future for the Democratic Party."

They began the press conference by quoting party leader Lee Jae-myung's assertion, saying, "The buds are truly precious, but the buds must wither for new shoots to grow," and "New wine must be put into new wineskins; we must move toward the future."

They continued, "They do not think of standing alone but only repeat appeals as someone's guardian angels and close aides," criticizing established politicians by saying, "As the election approaches, elections dominated by them or their close aides are repeated, policies and debates have disappeared, and only accusations and negative campaigns are rampant."

On the morning of the 20th, Choi Il-gon and Moon Yong-jin, preliminary candidates, held a joint press conference in the Citizens' Room of Mokpo City Council (left side).
[Photo by Moon Yong-jin and Choi Il-gon Election Office]

They also claimed, "Rumors that elections will be held sporadically are spreading ominously," and "Young candidates are tirelessly roaming the streets of Mokpo every day, meeting citizens and listening to the public sentiment expressing frustration and the disappearance of politics, which only makes us feel sorry."

Young preliminary candidates Choi Il-gon and Moon Yong-jin emphasized the importance of regaining the public sentiment of Mokpo citizens and the need for change.

The two candidates said, "We are approaching the election with a stronger sense of responsibility. We must restore the public sentiment in Mokpo so that Mokpo can lead the future of the Democratic Party," adding, "A wind of change is necessary for the proper role of politics. Only challenges can attempt change."

They then questioned, "If the past four years are repeated again, can we regain public sentiment? If only negativity is repeated, can change occur?" and added, "The Mokpo Democratic Party must approach the general election with the belief and responsibility that democracy can change the lives of the people."

They further stated, "Practically guaranteeing opportunities for young candidates means embracing more diverse voices, more complex stories, and representing marginalized voters," and criticized, "Established politicians only think about their own terms, and deception about development is rampant."

Especially, they highlighted the difference from established politics by saying, "Because it is our life, because there is a spirit that we must change, live by, and inherit, we can create more imagination, change, and alternatives," and emphasized, "For democracy, welfare state, the era of local autonomy, and balanced national development, we must now nurture new talents."

Preliminary candidates Moon Yong-jin and Choi Il-gon urged compliance with the Democratic Party of Korea’s Article 10, which mandates 10% nomination of young candidates for National Assembly elections.

The two candidates said, "Ignoring the party’s rules and standards, changing them to suit tastes, or having the standards shaken and applied irregularly due to certain forces is absolutely unacceptable in a public party," demanding "the fulfillment of the promised 10% nomination obligation to the public and party members."

They continued, "When a young person applies to be recommended as a candidate, the principle of including young candidates in the primary must be observed," and argued, "Opportunities to compete in an open manner must be guaranteed for the future of the party."

They also pointed out, "There is not even a place where imagination can be exercised in policy debates or where candidates’ words can be properly heard and judged," and emphasized the stage and opportunities for young politicians by saying, "The political world tries every way to win young voters’ favor in every election, but young people interested in settled politics are not even given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities."

Choi Il-gon and Moon Yong-jin said, "Has there ever been an opportunity for the Mokpo Democratic Party National Assembly election to become this youthful, to present new ways of thinking and problem-solving?" and "We repeatedly urge the Democratic Party leadership and the nomination committee to responsibly nominate young candidates."

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