Kang Tae-rin "Will Listen to the Voices of 2030 Through the Youth Development Center"

Interview with People Power Party Youth Supreme Council Candidate - Kang Tae-rin, Former Vice Chairman of Uiwang-Gwacheon Party Division

On the 25th, the People Power Party's first party convention vision presentation was held at Nurikkum Square in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Kang Tae-rin, former vice chairman of the Uiwang-Gwacheon party committee, who is running for the youth supreme council member election, is delivering his vision presentation.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] "Through the 2030 Youth Development Center, we can listen to the voices of the 2030 generation."

Kang Tae-rin, former deputy head of the Uiwang-Gwacheon party division, who announced his candidacy for the Youth Supreme Council Member at the People Power Party's June 11 convention, proposed the establishment of a '2030 Youth Development Center' as one of his pledges. The 2030 Youth Development Center is a place to nurture young politicians and party officials, as well as an institution that collects the demands and trends of young people. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 30th, Kang said, "We will develop policies for the 2030 youth within the center and create a platform where those receiving education can propose solutions themselves." The ultimate goal is to derive high-quality awareness and solutions to youth issues.

Kang ran for the Youth Supreme Council Member to help the People Power Party become a party closer to young people. He emphasized, "We will reflect the voices of young people," and added, "We must maintain the massive support from the youth that we first received in the April 7 by-election."

If elected as a Youth Supreme Council Member this time, Kang plans to focus on two things in next year's presidential election. First, he intends to gather opinions from the 2030 youth and create policies based on them. Alongside this, he plans to engage in internal struggles to prevent the rampant spread of 'populist' pledges. He said, "The loudest demand from young people who boarded the People Power Party's campaign vehicles during the April 7 by-election was for fair opportunities," and added, "Young people strongly criticized the 100,000 won provision pledge made by Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate at the time." Kang further explained, "Young people know how to take responsibility for their choices. They accept the results but demand fairness in the process," and added, "Our party intends to raise its voice to avoid falling into the temptation of populism that appears every election, unlike the Democratic Party."

Kang warned against falling into the temptation of 'wanting to win elections' or bringing in 'leftist' policies under the pretext of moderate expansion. He also openly criticized fellow party member Kim Woong's proposal to give young people 500,000 won monthly as a 'vote-buying act.' He stated, "The People Power Party is a conservative right-wing party. Policies like 'basic income' do not align with the People Power Party at all," and raised his voice, "If such policies are maintained, when the side effects of populism appear, the People Power Party will not be able to become an alternative party."

Kang Tae-rin, former Vice Chairman of the People Power Party's Uiwang-Gwacheon branch, officially announced her candidacy for the Youth Supreme Council Member on the 13th at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Kang Tae-rin, former Vice Chairman of the Uiwang-Gwacheon branch)

He decided to enter politics while serving as a conscripted policeman at Namdaemun Police Station from 2009 to 2010. At that time, he managed several protest sites. Kang said, "For about two years, I witnessed firsthand how democracy was destroyed by illegality and violence, which made me contemplate the path South Korea should take, and I thought the answer was legislative and political activities." He entered practical politics after the Moon Jae-in administration took office. He said, "Seeing South Korea heading toward conflict, division, and economic difficulties due to income-led growth, flawed real estate policies, and politically motivated purges, I started political activities in the People Power Party."

He cited 'challenging spirit' and 'drive' as his strengths. After completing his military service, he went to study in the United States at age 26, working hard to the point of repeating cycles between home and the library, and returned to Korea after successfully completing his studies. He served as vice president of the Korean Student Association at Columbia University and worked as a teacher at the New Frontier Academy Korean School in New York. Kang explained, "Many people said they would not adapt and would return, but I gritted my teeth and persevered," adding, "I believe that just challenging the Youth Supreme Council Member position as a young person who is neither an incumbent nor a party division head requires a challenging spirit and drive."