Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate, is speaking at the youth think tank 'Sangsang23 Open Seminar' held at House Cafe in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol launched his first public activity targeting the 2030 generation after joining the People Power Party.
In the afternoon, Yoon attended the 'Sangsang23 Open Seminar' held at House Cafe in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, congratulated the launch of the think tank, and met with young people to discuss youth policies needed in Korean society.
'Sangsang23' is a youth policy think tank co-founded by Jang Ye-chan, a current affairs commentator who joined Yoon’s People Power Party camp as a youth special advisor.
In his congratulatory speech at the seminar, Yoon said, "I strongly support the attempt by our 2030 youth leaders, who have studied and been active in various fields, to directly research and design policies for the youth generation that the older generation has failed to plan and solve."
He added, "Even if the systems you design and create are incomplete or somewhat unfinished when announced, they will cause a significant impact in the established political circles and society. I believe your efforts will have great effects."
He also said, "Just because the older generation has children in the youth generation does not mean there is much dialogue between parents and children. It is difficult to institutionally and comprehensively understand what your children are worried about, what they want to do, and what difficulties they face. I ask you to share good opinions on the problems you have encountered firsthand in society and how our society should change."
At the seminar, following the keynote presentation by Kim Won-jae, former UN Secretariat digital policy advisor and co-representative of the think tank, policy proposals were made by Kwon Mi-jin, CEO of EggUni, and Oh Sang-rok, CEO of Hyperism.
Co-representative Kim explained Korea’s political environment with an average age in the 50s and the industrial structure changed by digital development, arguing that "fair and free political participation of youth must be guaranteed."
CEO Kwon proposed easing loan requirements and introducing public direct payments to support young startup farmers under the theme of 'smart farms.' Then CEO Oh emphasized the need to establish systems such as talent acquisition and incentive programs to reduce uncertainties for virtual currency-related businesses.
After hearing the youth presentations, Yoon said, "Existing laws focus only on the principle of 'Gyeongjayu-jeon (耕者有田)'?that those who cultivate the land have the right to it?rather than viewing agriculture as an industrial business," adding, "Legal system reforms are necessary to develop it into a business industry." Regarding virtual currency, he responded, "Currency must have stable value to serve as a means of payment and a standard for evaluating all other assets," and "Discussions are needed starting from how it can become currency and what systems can minimize the side effects of value fluctuations."
About ten people attended the seminar, including Kim Geum-hyeok, a North Korean defector youth and English major graduate from Kim Il-sung University and a research member of Sangsang23; Kim Ji-hee, head of external cooperation at the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute labor union; and Jang Chung-ho, technical manager at Doosan Heavy Industries.
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