Former Chairman Kim Jong-in: "A Political Force That Shows Hope to the 2030 Generation Must Emerge"

Special Lecture on 'Korean Political Issues and the Presidential Election' at Samyuk University
Kim Jong-in: "The Generation Has Changed, but Political Methods Remain in the Past"

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jong-in, is giving a special lecture on "Current Political Issues in Korea and the Presidential Election" on the 21st at the CEO Lecture Room of the Centennial Memorial Hall at Samyook University.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Kim Jong-in, former Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said, "The generation has changed, and the behavior patterns and consciousness of the people have changed, but the political methods have not moved beyond the old ways," adding, "A political force that can especially show hope to the 2030 generation must emerge."

At a special lecture held on the 21st at the CEO Lecture Room of the Centennial Memorial Hall at Samyook University, themed "Current Political Issues in Korea and the Presidential Election," Kim emphasized that politicians in a democratic society should consider "public sentiment" as the most important factor.

Kim diagnosed, "The task given to the government to be newly launched next year is extremely difficult," adding, "The polarization phenomenon began to intensify after experiencing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) foreign exchange crisis, but it has not been narrowed at all until now. Recently, through the COVID-19 pandemic, the gap between the rich and the poor and divisions between classes have become extremely severe."

He also mentioned changes in the socio-economic structure due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the low birthrate issue, emphasizing, "To become a presidential candidate and president, one must follow the changing public sentiment and present a future vision for Korea that solves these problems, including polarization."

Regarding the direction of higher education policy, Kim said, "University education fundamentally cannot cultivate talents suitable for the new era without change," adding, "We must break away from the current uniform higher education policy and encourage specialization of each university while making active investments."

Kim Il-mok, president of Samyook University, said, "It became an opportunity to contemplate various era-related challenges together," adding, "The university will also strive to nurture innovative talents through education so that it can play a pivotal role in national development."

Attendees at the event included Kang Soon-gi, chairman of the Samyook Academy Foundation, Kim Il-mok, president of Samyook University, former chairman Han Sang-woo, Vice Chairman Eom Deok-hyun of the Korea Federation, as well as administrative officers such as department heads and directors of Samyook University.