Park Ji-hyun's 'Generation 86 Retirement Theory' Sparks Confusion in the Opposition Party

Park Ji-hyun's "86 Generation Must Prepare to Step Down" Remark Sparks Unified Backlash from Opposition Leadership
Criticized as Empty Talk on '86 Generation Voluntary Retirement' Repeated Every Election
Conflict Likely to Intensify After Local Elections Despite Temporary Reconciliation Ahead of Vote

On the 24th, eight days before the June 1 local elections, Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, held a press conference appealing to the public at the National Assembly Communication Office. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yunjin] Park Jihyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, has sparked internal strife within the party by raising the issue of the '86 Generation retirement theory.' Amid the Democratic Party's bleak prospects in the June 1 local elections, this internal conflict has added to the party's woes.

As Chair Park repeatedly mentioned the '86 Generation (those born in the 1960s and who entered university in the 1980s) retirement theory, fierce debates have erupted both inside and outside the party. At the Democratic Party's election committee meeting on the 25th, Chair Park said, "The 86 Generation should prepare for a graceful exit." This reaffirmed the party's reform plan announced at an emergency press conference the previous day, where she stated, "We will create a younger Democratic Party."

In response, Co-Chair Yoon Hojung criticized Chair Park in a closed meeting, saying, "You are not qualified as leadership," and "Discuss with the leadership before making public statements." Most of the current Democratic Party leadership, including Yoon, former party leader Song Younggil, and Kim Minseok, head of the party's election committee, belong to the 86 Generation.

The Democratic Party's move to bring up the '86 Generation retirement theory' as part of party reform is not new. Since former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's resignation in 2019, calls for responsibility and retirement from the mainstream 86 group have surfaced. In January, ahead of the 20th presidential election, then-party leader Song Younggil declared he would relinquish all vested interests and announced he would not run in the general election, emphasizing the need for generational change. However, he abruptly ran as the Seoul mayoral candidate in the June 1 local elections, rendering the retirement theory mere empty talk.

Within the party, while some criticize Chair Park's remarks as rash, voices urging that her demands be heeded even now are gaining strength. Lawmaker Kim Namguk strongly opposed, saying, "Do not stigmatize 86 Generation lawmakers negatively. Telling them to leave suddenly is violent and intimidating." On the other hand, Lawmaker Jeong Seongho defended Chair Park, stating, "The Democratic Party's reflection and apology are absolutely necessary but still insufficient. We need to apologize more sincerely and commit to innovation." Even within the same 'Lee Jae-myung faction,' perspectives differ.

What draws attention is the period after the June 1 local elections. There is keen interest in what impact Chair Park's reform plan will have. Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joongkwon predicted on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' on the 25th, "Chair Park has made a decisive move amid the party's crisis. If the party loses the local elections, she will become a scapegoat instead of Lee Jae-myung, the general election committee chair." Meanwhile, political commentator Lee Jonghoon evaluated, "The responsibility issue expected to arise after the election has been preemptively managed. It shows the will to survive within the party and continue political activities."

The Democratic Party leadership plans to resolve the current conflict and focus all efforts on the local elections. Chair Park appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Jihoon' on the 26th and said, "I am confident that by promising apology and reform, we can raise the party's approval ratings. The candidates are doing their best, so we will somehow secure election victory."