[Minbohyeop Election] Lee Ji-baek "Balanced Minbohyeop... Will Create a Venue for Harmony and Unity"

Interview with Minbohyeop Presidential Candidate - No.1 Candidate Assistant Lee Ji-baek
"Partnership between lawmakers and aides must be strengthened... I will restore pride"
"Coordinating diverse opinions within Minbohyeop... Balanced from a broad perspective"

The Democratic Party Staff Association (Minbohyeop), which did not hesitate to speak harshly for internal reform under the motto "We will speak our minds," will elect its 32nd president on the 7th. Minbohyeop issued a critical statement against the Democratic Party’s lack of reflection immediately after the presidential election defeat in March, and brought to light the sexual harassment remarks by Representative Choi Kang-wook and the sexual misconduct case involving Representative Park Wan-joo, sparking public debate. Amid self-reflection on "How did it come to this?" the members of Minbohyeop have become opposition party staff this year after being ruling party staff, marking a turning point to face changes accordingly. The candidates for the next Minbohyeop presidency commonly emphasized strengthening the role of opposition party staff and reestablishing their status. They also showed differences in approach regarding raising sexual misconduct issues. Through interviews with the three candidates running in this election, we explored the future of Minbohyeop.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "The Democratic Party, which was the ruling party for the past five years, has now become the opposition. While the roles of lawmakers and party officials are important, staff members have become more crucial than ever. I will strive to establish the status of Democratic Party staff. Furthermore, I will present ways to lead Minbohyeop’s harmony and integration by maintaining a broad perspective, a sense of balance, and rational responses to current issues."

Lee Ji-baek, candidate for the 32nd Minbohyeop presidency, said this during an interview held on the 4th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, introducing his strengths by saying, "I have extensive on-site experience from when the Democratic Party was the opposition during the 18th MB administration."

Candidate Lee worked in the office of Representative Kim Geun-tae during the 17th National Assembly and served as a political affairs advisor during former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon’s tenure, gaining experience across the National Assembly and government ministries. Currently affiliated with Representative Ki Dong-min’s office as a staff member, he has proposed key pledges such as introducing a system for announcing annual leave usage, reflecting this in legislative activity evaluations, and providing external expert assistance in cases of workplace sexual harassment and bullying. Emphasizing the recently weakened status of staff and the enhanced role of Democratic Party staff as opposition members, he promised harmony and integration within Minbohyeop.

Below is a Q&A.

-What motivated you to run?

I recently felt that the status of staff members has changed. Lawmakers and those who chose the Democratic Party with political purpose and ideals?are they receiving adequate treatment and recognition accordingly? I have been deeply concerned about restoring the pride of staff members.

-What are your unique strengths?

This is a time when experience and tenacity as opposition party staff are needed. I have frontline experience fighting during the MB administration and have worked on the Political Affairs Committee, striving to voice the opposition’s stance during legislative battles, which I believe is a strength. Also, Minbohyeop previously handled internal sexual misconduct cases, which caused some controversy, but having met various people from starting as a National Assembly intern, I pride myself on maintaining a sense of balance. I am a candidate who can find an unbiased balance point and will achieve harmony and integration within Minbohyeop.

-How do you evaluate the previous Minbohyeop and the raising of sexual misconduct issues?

If there are voices from internal members, Minbohyeop should speak out. While the process regarding the sexual misconduct case needs further review, I wonder what would have happened if more opinions were heard and more people agreed on the methodology. Raising the issue was necessary. However, there were unnecessary conflicts and noise during this process, and I regret that such noise might have overshadowed the original problem. While human rights violations against victims must be addressed, complex issues cannot be resolved with a single decisive cut. Solutions that benefit everyone must be found.

-Could you introduce your main pledges?

I plan to implement a system for announcing annual leave usage to guarantee predictability of vacations and strengthen personal control over leave. Including annual leave usage in the evaluation of lawmakers’ legislative activities to improve working conditions is also a method.

In cases of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, abuse of power, or workplace bullying, I will ensure access to external assistance. I will establish cooperative relationships to provide legal advice as well. Through a human rights monitoring ombudsman system, monitoring reports will be created and delivered to the party. Additionally, I will implement an immediate separation system for sexual misconduct perpetrators and ensure that disciplinary actions, not just dismissal, can be taken against offending staff members.

Many staff members quit due to depression and stress. I will add psychiatry to the medical departments available at the main office and the Assembly building. Lastly, I will introduce a seniority pay increase system, promoting pay raises for grades 6 and below. While I will pursue new allowances, ultimately, we must move toward seniority pay increases. I will take the first step.

-Any final words you want to emphasize?

The Minbohyeop election is a venue for the harmony and integration of Democratic Party staff. I want to emphasize that I am continuously considering this point. I am a candidate who maintains a broad perspective and balance and can propose rational solutions to current issues that many people can agree on.