Yeo Innovation Committee Recommends "50% of Electable Proportional Seats for Youth Nomination"... Increasing Pressure on Leadership to Refrain from Running (Comprehensive)

Proposal to Designate Youth Strategic Districts in Districts with D Voting Advantage
Government Recommends Expanding Youth Participation in Local Government Committees
"Recommend Leadership and Senior Members to Refrain from Running or Run in Challenging Districts, to Be Officially Submitted"

The People Power Party Innovation Committee has decided to propose to the party that 50% of the proportional representation candidates in next year's general election be allocated to youth under the age of 45, and that youth-only competitive youth strategic constituencies be designated in strong districts. The Innovation Committee, which announced measures to expand youth political participation, also expressed its intention to set a deadline for the party leadership, senior members, and pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) members to either not run or run in difficult constituencies such as the metropolitan area, raising the level of pressure.

Inyohan, Chairman of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, is speaking at the Innovation Committee plenary meeting with the people held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 9th, the Innovation Committee held a meeting at the party headquarters and unveiled the ‘3rd Innovation Proposal’ targeting youth. Anna Choi, an Innovation Committee member of the People Power Party, said, "We prepared three proposals with the hope that capable young people will come to the People Power Party and demonstrate their true abilities through fair competition," as she announced the innovation proposals. The proposals presented by Committee member Choi included allocating 50% of the winnable proportional representation seats to youth, selecting ‘youth strategic constituencies’ where youth compete against each other in strong districts, and recommending the expansion and mandatory participation of youth members in all committees, including former government agencies and local governments.

The age criterion for youth was set at 45 years or younger, according to the People Power Party’s constitution and regulations. Regarding the reason for using 45 years as the standard, Innovation Committee member Choi introduced, "Among OECD countries, South Korea is the only country where members of the National Assembly aged 45 or younger make up less than 10%."

The proposal to fill 50% of the winnable proportional representation seats with youth did not include additional guarantees for women’s political participation. Regarding this, Innovation Committee member Kim Kyung-jin said, "The party constitution and regulations already stipulate alternating gender lists for proportional representation and a 30% quota for women in constituency nominations, so I think separate discussions on strengthening women’s political participation are unnecessary."

The specific selection of constituencies and the proportion designated as youth strategic constituencies will be delegated to the general election planning team and the nomination management committee.

Regarding the demands for the party leadership, senior members, and pro-Yoon faction lawmakers to either not run or run in difficult constituencies, Committee member Kim said, "The recommendations have been communicated to key lawmakers through the media, and according to reports, Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han has also personally called some lawmakers." He added, "Since they need time to make up their minds through various unofficial channels, it was suggested that submitting the official proposal to the Supreme Council in writing be delayed to allow for sacrifices within the party and to better support the flow of innovation, so it was not included in today’s agenda." He further stated, "The proposal will be formally submitted later." This represents an increase in pressure beyond a simple political recommendation.

Regarding People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young and others refusing to run in the metropolitan area, Committee member Kim said, "It is a frustrating situation," and added, "The important thing is that if the party wants to revive, those playing key roles in the party should either declare they will not run as recommended by the Innovation Committee or show their willingness to sacrifice by running in the metropolitan area. When the main actors in the party show sacrifice, it will lead to public sympathy and make the People Power Party’s victory in the general election possible."

Regarding nominations of personnel from the Presidential Office, Committee member Kim said, "As emphasized by Chair In, those coming from the Presidential Office will not receive any special favors during this election process," and added, "On the contrary, they are expected to undergo a more rigorous process."