Jo Eung-cheon: "'86 Retirement Theory' Is a Matter of Personal Decision... Likely to Pave the Way for Democratic Party's Personnel Reform"

"Breaking Away from Entrenched Politics... Citizens Will Also Believe the Democratic Party Is Changing"

Cho Eung-cheon, Co-Director of the Joint Situation Room of the Democratic Party's Election Countermeasures Committee, evaluated that the '86 Retirement Theory' could serve as a catalyst for personnel reform within the Democratic Party.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Cho Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated the '86 Retirement Theory' (referring to those born in the 1960s and who entered university in the 1980s) raised by some within the party and the declaration by Lee Jae-myung's closest group, the '7-member Club,' to relinquish vested interests, saying, "I believe they will play a leading role," and that it "could become a major turning point for personnel reform within the Democratic Party."

Cho, who serves as co-chief of the Democratic Party's Election Countermeasures Committee Situation Room, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the 25th and said, "By showing a complete break from the vested interest politics of the past, we are signaling that we will be the first to engage in politics that relinquishes vested interests."

Earlier, on the 23rd, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min mentioned the '86 Retirement Theory' on his Facebook, advocating for political change, and the '7-member Club,' a group of Lee Jae-myung's closest lawmakers, declared on the 24th their willingness to serve in the background, expressing their intention for personnel reform within the ruling party.

Cho said, "There have been continuous talks about vested interest parties and double standards. Even if the current administration is re-elected, such concerns will remain," adding, "What is needed going forward is genuine, heartfelt reflection, a sincere willingness to step down, innovation, and a sense of urgency in the presidential election. Only then will the public think that the Democratic Party is truly trying to change."

However, Cho explained that the '86 Retirement Theory' is not a general trend within the party. He said, "It is difficult to say that this is the overall trend within the party," and added, "Since it has not formed as a general trend, there is not yet enough backlash to cause conflict. However, it seems that many are individually contemplating this."

Regarding the party's Innovation Promotion Committee's push to ban more than three consecutive terms, Cho said, "Yesterday, I discussed with the candidate that this is not something that can be forced," and noted, "Quite a few lawmakers seem to have a sense of the problem. The idea that a decision needs to be made is gradually growing."

Furthermore, Cho stated, "This kind of atmosphere can ultimately serve as a catalyst and become a major turning point for personnel reform in our Democratic Party. It would be even better if it could lead to the political reform that Kim Jong-min mentioned," and added, "I want to say that individuals and groups are all contemplating this and that there are movements in that direction."