Son Hak-kyu "One vote for number 3, not 1 or 2"
Kim Jeong-hwa "I will listen to the voices from the field"
Jang Jeong-suk "If we unite, opportunities will come"
Kim Jong-bae "Let's overcome defeatism and be reborn"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 1st, the Minsheng Party officially launched its Election Countermeasures Committee (ECC) and entered full-scale preparations for the April 15 general election. The Minsheng Party ECC adopted the slogan "Only Livelihood" and pledged victory in the 21st general election.
Son Hak-gyu, the standing ECC chairman, stated at the central election countermeasures committee inauguration ceremony held at the National Assembly on the same day, "The Minsheng Party is a party born to break down the old political structure and is the spark of a multi-party system revived by the people," adding, "In this general election, you should cast your vote for the No. 3 centrist reform party, not No. 1 or No. 2." He continued, "The only way to never again witness the pathetic and shameful politics that the people have endured over the past four years is through this," and declared, "After the general election, the Minsheng Party will lead constitutional amendment discussions to end the outdated system and open the era of the 7th Republic wide open."
Targeting the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party, Son criticized, "Look at the entrenched vested-interest major parties obsessed with ideology. The ruling party’s proportional satellite party candidate openly declared that 'the first investigation target of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials is Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl,' and on the main opposition party’s YouTube broadcast, there was a remark telling President Moon to 'receive free meals in prison after his term ends.' This is a shameful level of politics compared to our great people."
Regarding the COVID-19 situation, Son emphasized, "Now we must prepare for the post-COVID-19 era. Our economy, which has been severely damaged by President Moon Jae-in’s income-led growth theory and nuclear phase-out economic policies, is fundamentally collapsing due to the COVID crisis," adding, "If this continues, mass bankruptcies of companies and closures of small business owners and self-employed people are inevitable. Instead of continuing debates over populist and uncertain basic income policies, the government should focus on economic policies it can implement immediately, such as regulatory reform and labor reform."
Kim Jeong-hwa, co-chair of the ECC, appealed for support, saying, "Livelihood where my mother’s old age is comfortable, where my wife leaves work early, where my younger sibling easily finds a job, and where my friend’s pub is bustling is the livelihood the Minsheng Party dreams of," adding, "Livelihood is neither a grand philosophy nor a distant vision. It is a happy life for me and my family."
Kim pointed out, "After three years of the Moon Jae-in administration, how much has the livelihood of fellow citizens improved? Citizens who work diligently every day have lost hope, while politics has been nothing but constant fighting. The politics of the vested-interest major parties, which cannot empathize with the livelihood of ordinary people, was the old-fashioned politics of the privileged."
Kim stated, "The Minsheng Party firmly rejects fake politics tainted by ideology, regionalism, and factionalism. We will realize genuine politics for the happy lives and livelihoods of fellow citizens," and added, "I will prioritize visiting the sites of livelihood, youth, and women. I will listen directly to the voices from the field who yearn for reform and renewal and think together with them."
Jang Jeong-sook, co-chair of the ECC, said, "If we accurately recognize and unite over the current crisis, opportunities will surely come, and this general election could be the chance for a turnaround," adding, "With the launch of the ECC, our Minsheng Party must become a melting pot that integrates everything and produces new value."
Jang urged, "Let’s set realistic goals and not give up. Let’s establish the optimal system to consolidate internal capabilities and definitely achieve our goals," and said, "Let’s all work together and create unexpected results."
Kim Jong-bae, co-chair of the ECC, said, "This April 15 general election is a judgment on all the arrogance, incompetence, and policy failures of the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "Although late, I hope the Minsheng Party overcomes defeatism and is reborn as a party that has overcome difficulties in party history."
Kim acknowledged, "We realized how difficult it is for the Bareunmirae Party, Alternative New Party, and Democratic Peace Party to unite as one," and apologized, "We sincerely apologize to the people for the late launch of the ECC and all the delays caused by our shortcomings."
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