'Lee Jun-seok Kids' Kim Yong-tae vs 'Yun Hae-kwan Kids' Jang Ye-chan... Mud-slinging Fight

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation, and Kim Yong-tae, former youth supreme council member of the People Power Party, who are competing for the ruling party's youth supreme council member position, continue their "mud-slinging verbal battle." Chairman Jang fired at Kim, saying he is engaging in "'Mom Card' politics," to which Kim retorted, "Do you vaguely remember the days when you posted pictures of your Maserati to brag about your own money?"

On the 12th, Chairman Jang appeared on MBC's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," saying, "I really don't understand where former leader Lee Jun-seok or the 'Lee Jun-seok Kids' get the money to do politics." The term "Lee Jun-seok Kids" refers to young politicians affiliated with Lee Jun-seok.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This was aimed at former youth supreme council member Kim, who revealed he was leaning more toward running for the general supreme council member position rather than the youth supreme council member. He said, "The deposit for general supreme council members was set at 40 million won, while for youth supreme council members it was 10 million won," adding, "Isn't the 30 million won difference a really big deal for ordinary 20s and 30s, young people who earn their own money for politics rather than using a mom card?" The term "mom card" refers to a credit card from parents, criticizing those who do politics with the help of wealthy parents.

When paying the deposit, one cannot form a support committee, and since it is illegal for non-incumbents to receive support, the deposit must be paid entirely with one’s own money. Chairman Jang said, "The party sets the stage for people in their 20s, 30s, and even early 40s to give it a try, but I really don’t know where they get the money to do politics," adding, "It's really amazing and enviable to see Lee Jun-seok Kids doing politics with mom cards."

In response, former youth supreme council member Kim hit back by referring to Chairman Jang’s past remarks and social media posts. On the same day, he posted on his SNS, "'Pretending to be frugal when working in public areas like politics and news is also old-fashioned,' said self-proclaimed 'youth' Chairman Jang in a past SNS post," adding, "'Yoon Core Kids' candidate Jang talking about money to me is absurd."

Kim Yong-tae, the Youth Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He continued, "To our Chairman Jang, who is famous among many political reporters for bragging about money and family background, to say he doesn’t know where the money for politics comes from?journalists and I genuinely laugh at this," raising his voice, "All those times you boasted about luxury cars and watches on your Facebook were not your own abilities but thanks to the 'mom card,' I suppose."

He then said, "If you want to compete with me so badly, instead of stubbornly insisting on the 'youth' supreme council member position, which is not even fitting for you, I propose we compete together on the general supreme council member stage. Don’t run away because you’re afraid of the general supreme council member stage, and I hope you accept my proposal."