"Numerous Youth Feelings of Deprivation" Opposition Aides Criticize Appointment of Secretary Park Seong-min

Published 23 Jun.2021 05:33(KST)

Park Sung-min, former Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appointed as Youth Secretary at the Blue House. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The People Power Party Staff Association (Gukbohyeop) strongly criticized the appointment of former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Seongmin as the Blue House Youth Secretary, saying, "Many young people will feel a sense of deprivation," and called it "not a breakthrough but a comedy."

On the 22nd, Gukbohyeop issued a statement saying, "Breaking the norm is a breakthrough. This appointment is a case of having no 'norm' at all," and raised their voices, saying, "Such an appointment only incites anger rather than winning the hearts of the youth."

Gukbohyeop questioned, "Ordinary young people often prepare for years to pass the civil service exam and reach grade 5, yet even after nearly 30 years of service, it is rare to reach grade 2," and asked, "Will many young people support this appointment or feel a sense of deprivation?"

They further criticized Secretary Park, saying, "He was a person who showed no difference from established politicians thoroughly immersed in factional logic while serving as the Democratic Party's youth supreme council member," and pointed out, "Although he attracted attention as a breakthrough when appointed as a supreme council member, he has not presented a single youth policy or message. If he lacks ability, he should at least have symbolic significance as a 'Korean youth.'"

Earlier, President Moon Jaein appointed former supreme council member Park, born in 1996, as the Blue House Youth Secretary on the 21st. This led to analyses that the 'youth politician wave,' such as the election of a 30-something party leader in the People Power Party, influenced personnel decisions at the Blue House as well.

Secretary Park was selected as the Democratic Party youth spokesperson in 2019 and served as a supreme council member during former Democratic Party leader Lee Nakyeon's tenure last year. He is currently enrolled in the Korean Language and Literature Department at Korea University and is expected to take a leave of absence to perform his secretarial duties.

Meanwhile, public reactions to Secretary Park's appointment at the Blue House were mixed. Among netizens, negative opinions such as "Do they think young people in their 20s and 30s will like it just because a young person is appointed?" and "This is another form of unfairness" were expressed, while positive evaluations like "It seems to show a willingness to actively listen to the voices of youth" also appeared.