Ryu Ho-jeong: "If the ruling party continues 'kkondae behavior,' young people will completely turn away"

Ryu Ho-jeong, Justice Party member./Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] On the 13th, Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, pointed out to the hardline ruling party supporters and Democratic Party lawmakers who criticized the first-term Democratic Party lawmakers expressing remorse over the 'Cho Kuk incident,' saying, "If the 'condescending attitude' continues, they will experience the complete disregard of the younger generation."

At the lawmakers' meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Ryu said, "I support the courage of the young lawmakers who are receiving concentrated attacks simply because they raised objections and had the opportunity to speak in a place where 'adults' require permission even for apologies and reflections."

Earlier, five first-term Democratic Party lawmakers?Jang Cheol-min, Jang Kyung-tae, Jeon Yong-gi, Lee So-young, and Oh Young-hwan?mentioned the 'Cho Kuk incident' as one of the causes of the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, drawing fierce backlash from hardline supporters. Even among some Democratic Party lawmakers, there were critical opinions toward the first-term lawmakers, questioning whether it was necessary to mention the Cho Kuk incident as a cause of the election failure.

Jeon Yong-gi, Oh Young-hwan, Lee So-young, Jang Kyung-tae, Jang Cheol-min, and other first-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea are greeting each other before the announcement of the "Democratic Party of Korea 2030 Lawmakers' Statement" held at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 9th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the press conference held by the five first-term lawmakers, Ryu said, "I was glad to see them reflect on the past when former Minister Cho Kuk was considered the 'symbol of prosecutorial reform.'" She added, "Except for whether it was before or after the election, the content was not much different from what the Justice Party spokespersons have consistently criticized and urged at the same press conference."

She continued, "The five lawmakers have become the 'ungrateful five first-term traitors.' They received text message bombings from their own party supporters but can only say that they are 'hurt by the ridicule and criticism.' On the other hand, it is hard to find any ridicule directed at Do Jong-hwan, the acting committee chairman, who vaguely expressed that 'the responsibility for the defeat lies with us' without mentioning what was wrong and what should be reflected upon," she pointed out.

Ryu said, "They believe that the immature 2030 youth generation voted for the People Power Party without any thought, so the thoughtless press conference by the immature young lawmakers must be pathetic. However, if the 'condescending attitude' continues to protect the president and uphold the cause of prosecutorial reform, they will experience the complete disregard of the youth generation, who have become 'swing voters' in elections."

She added, "The desire for change was mostly expressed through the People Power Party and partly through minor parties, but the sentiment of the youth generation demands reflection from the ruling party," she criticized.