Sim Sang-jung "Recreating the 2002 Miracle of Former President Roh Moo-hyun, a 2% Candidate, with the Birth of the Sim Sang-jung Government in 2022"
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Marking its 9th anniversary, the Justice Party announced on the 21st that it aims to break free from the limitations of being a minor party and make next year's presidential election the inaugural year to oust the entrenched two-party politics and emerge as a major party.
On this day, Justice Party leader Yeo Young-guk, floor leader Bae Jin-kyo, and presidential candidate Shim Sang-jung held the "Justice Party 9th Anniversary Ceremony" at the National Assembly, emphasizing their commitment to becoming a choice for the people in the 2022 presidential election.
Leader Yeo stated, "Standing on the solid stepping stone of progressive politics and a new leap forward, let us now have a prospect of taking power," adding, "We will open a new decade of progressive parties and a decade of the Justice Party together with presidential candidate Shim Sang-jung, local election candidates, and party members."
She also said, "Let us boldly shake off the limitations of a nominal third party, a lighthouse party that only speaks the right words, and a salt party, as well as the inertia of being a minority faction," emphasizing, "Especially, let us make next year, when the presidential and local elections are held, the inaugural year to become a major and governing party."
Since its founding in 2012, the Justice Party has demonstrated its presence as a casting vote by entering the National Assembly as a progressive party. However, it faced crises following the sudden death of former lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan in 2018 and the 'Cho Kuk incident.'
Additionally, although the party agreed to the Democratic Party's '4+1 negotiation group' to introduce a mixed-member proportional representation system in the April 15 general election, the emergence of satellite parties ultimately resulted in a reduction of the Justice Party's share in the National Assembly.
Moreover, earlier this year, the party faced the sexual harassment incident involving former leader Kim Jong-chul, leading to a period of self-reflection by not fielding candidates in the April by-elections.
On this day, Leader Yeo said, "There were long nights wondering if we could rise again. But we never gave up on the dream of a party of democrats grounded in reality and dedicated to changing citizens' lives." She continued, "The Justice Party is a party standing on the continuous self-innovation of progressive politics," emphasizing, "We will oust the entrenched two-party politics and become a choice for the people."
Presidential candidate Shim Sang-jung also expressed, "The Justice Party will be a great ship carrying diverse aspirations for transformation into the future," pledging, "We will recreate the 2002 miracle of President Roh Moo-hyun, who was a 2% candidate, with the birth of the Shim Sang-jung government in 2022."
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