Joo Ho-young: "Should older people step down? I don't think that's right"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Joo Ho-young, former floor leader who challenged the People Power Party leadership race, expressed a negative view on the perception that the party leadership competition is proceeding as a conflict between old and new factions. He stated that "it is not right to evaluate people by their age."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 14th, Joo appeared on MBC Radio’s "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus" and responded to the host’s comment that the leadership race is unfolding as a battle between old and new generations by saying, "The older generation has stepped back to make way for new talents. A forest needs small trees, but it also needs large, old, and withered trees to truly be a forest." He added, "When veterans, young people, and middle-aged people come together and each demonstrate their strengths, that is when the party can show its true colors. I do not agree with the idea that older people should automatically step aside based on age."

Joo further said, "Even someone like Youn Yuh-jung, who is over 70 years old, has received such awards, and among writers, many masters have produced masterpieces or achieved success even past 80." He emphasized, "It is not right to evaluate people by their age. It is also wrong to divide generations based on that." He continued, "The issue lies in how much new thinking one has and the effort to change and innovate. It depends on that, not on age. I believe it is wrong to make distinctions based on age."

He also introduced a considerable possibility of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl joining the People Power Party. After a lecture at the Mapo Forum, a gathering of current and former party lawmakers, Joo told reporters, "I have not confirmed directly with him, but through several channels, I have confirmed from a few places that he could join us."

Regarding this, Joo said, "When such talks happen in private, there are various grounds for them. I mentioned this at a meeting yesterday as well. I worked in Daegu for a long time and even lived in the same house. So, I have compiled and spoken based on indirect confirmations through various channels."

He also named unifying opposition candidates as his first action if elected party leader. Joo said, "If necessary, I plan to meet quickly with people like Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl."