[Interview] Kang Hoon-sik "Can Lee Jae-myung Nurture Rival Candidates?... Will Develop 7 Presidential Candidates"

The Only Non-Capital Region Democratic Party Leadership Candidate
"Pension Reform and Strengthening of Retirement Income Security Must Be Pursued"
Strengthening Outreach to Neglected Seniors
Disagree with Becoming Party Leader by Opposition

Provided by Kang Hoon-sik, Democratic Party Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kang Hoon-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea challenging for the party leadership, stated, "I will promote pension reform in a direction that strengthens old-age income security." Currently, the focus of reforms such as the National Pension is on fiscal soundness, but he intends to change this perspective. Kang emphasized, "Pensions are for social welfare" and "We must view them with an emphasis on the elderly citizens' livelihood."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 26th, Kang expressed this view and added, "This will be a new direction advocating pension reform." As the only non-metropolitan candidate among the Democratic Party leadership contenders, Kang said, "The harmony of the elderly, middle-aged, and youth is important, but I cannot shake the feeling that the Democratic Party neglects the elderly." He continued, "As a non-metropolitan candidate, I can emphasize regional balanced development and also advocate for aging population measures." He aims to elevate unique regional concerns such as balanced development and aging population policies to the party's main agenda.

Kang also revealed his ambition to nurture other presidential candidates besides Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's former presidential candidate. He said, "Currently, Lee, who is also running for party leader, is almost the only presidential candidate in the Democratic Party." He added, "To win the presidential election, the primary must be exciting and interesting from the start, and for the party to be stable, multiple presidential candidates must be prepared." To this end, he stated, "If I become party leader, I will be a kingmaker nurturing seven presidential candidates," and "Nurturing multiple presidential candidates is the role of the party leader." He remarked, "Lee cannot nurture competing candidates, right? The party leader should be someone who can nurture competitors."

Regarding the leadership election becoming a contest between pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) and anti-Lee factions, Kang said, "I find it hard to agree that the party leader candidate will be chosen only from the anti-Lee faction." He added, "It is more important to explain through one's vision, the new future and innovation of the party rather than through anti-Lee sentiment. Also, how well we fight against the Yoon Seok-youl government is a more important issue."

Below is a Q&A session.

- Why must it be Kang Hoon-sik?

▲ The next leader of the Democratic Party must meet three requirements. They must be able to talk about the future and innovation, have the operational ability, political sense, and strategic judgment to lead a 170-seat opposition party. Furthermore, they must end factional conflicts within the party. I believe I am the candidate who meets these conditions. Additionally, for the Democratic Party to advance as a nationwide party rather than a metropolitan party, the only local-origin lawmaker must pass the preliminary election. It is difficult to lead the Democratic Party without concerns and issues about the regions.

- You have presented seven pledges. What is the ultimate goal of these pledges?

▲ The pledges aim to reestablish progressive values, bring change and innovation to the party, and through policies that look toward the people, ultimately demonstrate the 'reason for the Democratic Party's existence' and the 'reason for politics' itself. In my declaration of candidacy, I said the Democratic Party has failed to prove its usefulness. The public asks, "What is politics really for?" and "Does politics help my life?" Under this awareness, I pledged to create a 'useful Democratic Party' and included the implementation plans in my pledges.

- What is your plan for party unity?

▲ The conservatives have come to power through division and splitting. They succeeded by dividing North and South, East and West, and this time by gender and generation. The Yoon Seok-youl government is applying division and splitting even in state affairs, such as advocating for the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. We will fight so that the current government's divisive tactics are revealed as historically shameful, like the so-called 'red scare frame' and 'East-West division' in the past. Party unity is possible by appointing capable figures rather than faction members and maintaining the current system of nominations without wavering. Especially, I am running for party leader because I believe I am the right person for unity. I have been utilized for my ability rather than factional affiliation. I will run the party in this way.

- The Yoon Seok-youl president's approval rating has dropped, and the momentum for party reform after the local elections has weakened.

▲ Despite the Yoon Seok-youl government's destruction of people's livelihoods, privatization of power, and personnel disasters, it shows no sign of reflection and fails to present any alternatives. However, we must not expect to benefit from the government's failures. We must clearly show the public the reason for the Democratic Party's existence and the reason for politics through precise policy alternatives. A clear opposition party confronting the Yoon government and an alternative party presenting alternatives must move forward like two wheels of a cart.

- Please share your analysis of the causes of defeat in the local elections and presidential election, and your evaluation of the Moon Jae-in administration.

▲ The Democratic Party lost its reference group and failed to properly respond to the conservatives' hatred and division tactics. Therefore, I am saying that we must clearly find the Democratic Party's reference group through progressive reorganization. Just as the conservatives tried to divide North and South and East and West, this time they attempted division by generation and gender. Responding only based on electoral advantage was one of the reasons for the presidential election defeat. Regarding the local elections, the cause was that it became a second presidential election when the focus should have been more on the lives of local residents. During the Moon Jae-in administration, South Korea rose to the ranks of a genuine advanced country. This is an undeniable achievement. However, during the ruling party's time, while practicing 'politics for all,' unlike the conservatives, the reorganization of progressives was delayed. There is also regret that due to high moral standards, realistic real estate policies were not established.