30s Lawmaker Jang Hye-young to Lee Jun-seok: "Looking Forward to How You Will Provide 'Fair Opportunities'"

"Let's Create a World Where Everyone Can Live Equally and with Dignity"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 11th, Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young congratulated Lee Jun-seok, who was elected as the new leader of the People Power Party, but also pointed out, "I believe that giving everyone the same test paper is not the extent of Lee Jun-seok's fairness." Jang is two years younger than Lee, who was born in 1985, as she was born in 1987.

On the same day, Jang posted on her Facebook, "Congratulations on Lee's election. The birth of a 30-something young party leader clearly showed that age should not be an essential limitation in politics," she began.

She said, "Lee's first words about breaking away from old customs and coexisting with different thoughts are truly welcome," adding, "It is time to break away from the repetitive, tedious factional fights of the two major parties, which only change topics from time to time. Respect for diverse personalities regardless of generation and gender should become the new standard of our politics going forward."

She continued, "I read Lee's acceptance speech on my way out after visiting the funeral of another young LGBTQ+ person," and wrote, "Lee boldly declared that he would change the world through exams."

Jang Hye-young, Justice Party member. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Then, Jang pointed out, "I want to remind Lee that the transgender student admitted to Sookmyung Women's University gave up enrollment not because of exam scores but because of discrimination and hatred. The late Corporal Byun Hee-soo lost her job and even her life not due to artillery skills but because of discrimination and hatred. Numerous disabled people are still sent to facilities against their will solely because they are disabled, fundamentally depriving them of countless opportunities."

She also said, "I sincerely look forward to how Lee's test paper will provide 'fair opportunities' to all those outside the playing field who are experiencing structural inequality with their whole bodies."

Finally, Jang proposed, "If life is a single exam, I hope we do not forget that the goal of that exam is only a dignified life, and the duty of politicians is to ensure that no citizen falls behind in that exam. Let us all work hard together to create a world where every citizen can live equally and with dignity from wherever they stand."

Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, Lee said, "The rough ideas about change that I talk about, the anxious looks of traditional party members watching them, and the public observing this?our challenge for change will appear as fierce as a war, and through this change, we will change and win," adding, "Join the process of changing the world and break inertia and stereotypes. Then the world will change."