56 Pro-Moon Lawmakers Launch Think Tank... "Together in the Same Boat Despite Heavy Rain"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The think tank ‘Democracy 4.0 Institute,’ involving 56 incumbent lawmakers from the pro-Moon Jae-in faction of the Democratic Party, officially launched on the 22nd. They stated that the purpose is “to study and reconstruct progressive values,” cautioning against political overinterpretation, but some in political circles analyze that it could influence the future presidential election landscape.

On the same day, the Democracy 4.0 Institute held its inaugural general meeting combined with the 1st symposium at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Seoul. Founding members included prominent pro-Moon lawmakers within the party such as Jeon Hae-cheol and Hong Young-pyo from the ‘Bueong-i Meeting,’ as well as mainstream pro-Moon lawmakers like Kim Young-bae, Lee Kwang-jae, and Jung Tae-ho.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the event, lawmaker Do Jong-hwan was appointed as the inaugural chairman and head of the institute. Lawmaker Do said, “I hope we remember that we are on the same boat even when heavy snow and rain pour down,” adding, “We are starting this gathering to become skilled politicians who respect and remain humble despite differences in opinion.”

He explained, “The number 4 in Democracy 4.0 is related to the task of leading an inclusive state in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution and establishing the fourth democratic government.”

Hwang Hee, a founding preparation committee member, warned against overinterpretation regarding the possibility of the institute turning into a ‘presidential campaign’ for a specific individual, saying, “It is unreasonable to guess the institute’s purpose and meaning based on timing.” He explained, “Preparations originally started a year ago. We thought November, after the party convention and the national audit, was the most appropriate time for the launch, and delaying further might cause misunderstandings.”

The institute will continue its seminar schedule about two weeks later. In January next year, it plans to release policy proposals focusing on real estate issues.