"The Lee Jun-seok Storm Is Because the Democratic Party Is Too Weak" 'Stagnant Politics'... Can It Be Overturned? [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

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Lee Jun-seok, People Power Party Leader, Makes First Official Visit to Cheonan Ship Memorial?A Bold Move

Lee Jun-seok, the newly appointed leader of the People Power Party, commuted to the National Assembly for the first time on the morning of the 13th by riding a Ddareungi bike from the National Assembly Station. A representative from the leader's office stated, "Leader Lee usually prefers using Ddareungi, and although there is a vehicle for the party leader, a driver has not been hired yet."
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Isn't the Lee Jun-seok phenomenon due to the old-fashioned activist generation?" "I think he understood the hearts of the 2030 generation well."

There is a common view that the background behind the election of Lee Jun-seok, the first-ever 30-something leader of the main opposition party in constitutional history and an 'un-elected outsider,' lies in the dissatisfaction of the 'MZ generation.' Some argue that the anger of the 2030 youth, disillusioned with 'stagnant politics,' was directly reflected in Lee's election.

The term 'stagnant politics' is a neologism referring to people who have stayed in one place for a long time. It is also pointed out that this result was created by the bare face shown by the ruling Democratic Party's 586 activist generation.

Kim, a company employee in his 30s who said he closely followed the People Power Party's leadership election, stated, "Lee Jun-seok's election as party leader is not just a phenomenon but a product created by the 2030 youth," adding, "I believe young people who are truly fed up with outdated politics gave him their overwhelming support." It is argued that the votes of the younger generation, angered by soaring housing prices, job losses, and conflicts between irregular and regular workers, led to the April 7 by-elections and the first-ever 30-something leader of the main opposition party in constitutional history.

Among the many controversies surrounding former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, it is pointed out that the admission scandal involving Cho's daughter was what angered the youth the most.

During the Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal, when it became known that Jung Yoo-ra said, "Blame your parents. Money is also ability," young people gathered in Gwanghwamun holding candles. From job seekers to those in their 20s and 30s, they raised their voices not for political reasons but to demand that the 'fair rules of the game' not be shaken.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party (right), and Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader, are meeting and conversing on the afternoon of the 13th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. It is reported that during this meeting, Leader Lee and Floor Leader Kim will discuss party appointments and other matters. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Park, a company employee in his 20s, said, "I don't know much about the political aspects during the Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal, but the admission fraud allegations involving Choi Soon-sil's daughter sparked the youth's anger." He added, "But that anger was directly directed at former Minister Cho Kuk, and with repeated 'double standards' claims and the Democratic Party leaving it unaddressed, the youth had no choice but to turn their backs on the Democratic Party." He emphasized, "Now they are talking about youth policies again, but I want to say the bus has already passed."

This youth anger was clearly reflected in the April 7 by-election voting results. According to the Central Election Commission and exit polls by three major broadcasters on April 8, in the Seoul mayoral by-election, 55.3% of voters in their 20s and 56.5% in their 30s voted for Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate. The then Democratic Party candidate Park Young-sun received only 34.1% of the 20s vote and 38.7% of the 30s vote.

In this situation, there is a painful criticism that the Democratic Party's first-term lawmakers' apology regarding the 'Cho Kuk incident' was blocked by the hardline pro-Moon faction, effectively squandering the last remaining opportunity themselves.

On April 9, first-term Democratic Party lawmakers Oh Young-hwan, Lee So-young, Jeon Yong-gi, Jang Kyung-tae, and Jang Cheol-min issued a statement reflecting on former Minister Cho Kuk. However, posts criticizing these first-term lawmakers flooded the Democratic Party's online rights members' board. Some called them the 'five first-term traitors' or 'first-term tribe,' scolding them with remarks like "They are out of their minds," and "How dare they mention former Minister Cho?"

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is arriving for his first day at the party office in the National Assembly building, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Park, a company employee in his 30s, said, "There are many lawmakers like Lee Jun-seok in the Democratic Party," but added, "However, because of the hardline supporters, internal criticism and any improvement measures cannot be voiced." He continued, "The emergence of a 30-something party leader in the People Power Party is a great innovation, but from the Democratic Party's perspective, it should be seen as the very last chance. They must read the changed times well," he urged.

Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok, the newly elected leader of the People Power Party, visited the National Daejeon Cemetery, where the fallen soldiers of the Cheonan ship, on the 14th as his first official schedule. This marked the beginning of his official activities by honoring the spirits of 55 soldiers who died during the 2010 Cheonan ship sinking, the Yeonpyeong Island shelling provocation, and the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, who were of his generation. This is an unusual move compared to typical political figures who visit the National Seoul Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, where patriotic martyrs and former presidents are buried, as their first official schedule after election.