'Youth Lawmaker' Jeong Hando, Who Announced Candidacy for Democratic Party Leader, Says "We Need to Change the Policy Direction Favoring Women"

Jeong Han-do, a member of the Yongin City Council, expressing his thoughts on candidate registration. Photo by Jeong Han-do

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Jeong Hando (30), a city council member of Yongin, who has completed candidate registration for the Democratic Party of Korea leadership election, has expressed his candidacy aspirations.

On the 14th, Jeong announced his candidate registration on his Facebook, stating, "There were comments that I am young, of low rank, easily stepped on, and lack influence, but I decided to challenge."

Earlier, on the 12th, Jeong declared his intention to run for party leader, saying, "The Democratic Party must definitely change."

He proposed restructuring the Democratic Party's Youth Committee, eliminating authoritarian and collective culture, and focusing on livelihood issues.

He also argued, "The policy stance favoring women related to gender must be changed." He said, "If young women are weak and victims, young men are also weak and victims. Institutional discrimination against women has disappeared, but the culture in our society that enforces 'masculinity' has not changed much," adding, "Young women are becoming confident in society, but young men are losing their confidence."

He pointed out, "The obligations and burdens borne by young men must be resolved, and appropriate compensation is necessary," and criticized, "If policies are proposed only for young women while claiming 'this is good, this is right,' it will neither gain sympathy nor will it avoid strong opposition."

He emphasized, "The older generation's perception of gender equality should not be forced upon the 2030 youth generation."

Meanwhile, in the Democratic Party leadership election scheduled for the 2nd of next month, candidates including Jeong, Song Young-gil (5-term), Woo Won-shik (4-term), and Hong Young-pyo (4-term) will run. So far, there are four candidates, and one will be eliminated through a preliminary cut-off on the 18th.