Song Young-gil Appoints Non-mainstream Park Wan-joo as Democratic Party Policy Committee Chairperson

Park Wan-joo, the candidate for the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a keynote speech at the 2nd joint debate for the floor leader candidates held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has nominated three-term lawmaker Park Wan-joo as the new chairman of the Policy Committee.

The Democratic Party confirmed and announced this personnel appointment at the Supreme Council meeting held in Gwangju on the 8th.

Park previously competed against floor leader Yoon Ho-jung in the last floor leader election. Like Song, he belongs to the '86 Group' (students of the 1980s, born in the 1960s) and is a member of the progressive faction within the party called The Better Future (Deo Mirae).

Park is classified as part of the Kim Geun-tae faction. Since Park is not part of the pro-Moon Jae-in faction (Pro-Moon), his appointment appears to be part of a so-called 'balanced personnel appointment' that places non-mainstream figures at the core.

Earlier, Song appointed Yoon Kwan-seok (Incheon Namdong-eul) as Secretary-General, Kim Young-ho (Seodaemun-eul) as Chief Secretary, Ko Yong-jin (Nowon-gap) as Chief Spokesperson, and Lee Yong-bin (Gwangju Gwangsan-gap) as Spokesperson.

Since pro-Moon figures dominate the floor leader and elected Supreme Council members, it is analyzed that non-mainstream figures were appointed to appointed positions to maintain balance.