30s Elected Members Kim Jaeseop, Jeon Yonggi, Jo Jiyeon "Responsibility as Legislators, Not Just Youth"

In the 22nd general election held on the 10th, the rise of young politicians was remarkable. They achieved unexpected victories in areas classified as difficult constituencies or defeated veteran politicians. The elected representatives in their 30s promised to break stereotypes about youth and demonstrate the dynamism that young people possess in the National Assembly.

Kim Jae-seop, the People Power Party candidate who won in Dobong-gap, Seoul, is holding a congratulatory bouquet at the campaign office in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul on the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the vote count results of the 22nd general election by the Central Election Commission on the 11th, there are 44 elected representatives aged 40 or younger among all winners. This is an increase of 3 compared to the 21st general election (41). However, the number of politicians aged 30 or younger is 12, one less than in the previous election. The 30-something elected representatives who ran in local constituencies include Kim Dong-a (Seoul Seodaemun-gu Gap), Kim Jaeseop (Seoul Dobong-gu Gap), Kim Yongman (Hanam-si Eul), Kim Yongtae (Pocheon-si·Gapyeong-gun), Mo Kyungjong (Incheon Seo-gu Byeong), Woo Jaejun (Daegu Buk-gu Gap), Lee Soyoung (Uiwang-si·Gwacheon-si), Lee Junseok (Hwaseong-si Eul), Jeon Yonggi (Hwaseong-si Jeong), and Jo Jiyeon (Gyeongsan-si), totaling 10.

Kim Jaeseop, who won in a 'young politician' face-off, expressed a heavy sense of responsibility after his victory. Dobong-gu Gap, where he was elected, is considered a difficult area for the conservative camp, as the late Kim Geuntae, former chairman of the Open Democratic Party, was elected in the 15th to 17th general elections, and Kim’s wife, In Jae-geun, a Democratic Party lawmaker, was consecutively elected in the 19th to 21st general elections. However, Kim won by a margin of 1.16 percentage points against Democratic Party candidate Ahn Gwiryung. Kim said, "As the only People Power Party winner in the Gangbuk area, I believe there is a signal from the people," adding, "I am already thinking about how to regain the love of the people."

The elected candidate of the 22nd National Assembly election, Jo Ji-yeon of the People Power Party in Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, is greeting citizens on the 11th in the Hayang-eup area of Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jo Jiyeon attributed her victory over conservative veteran politician Choi Kyunghwan, an independent candidate in the Daegu area, to 'dynamism.' Choi was a tough opponent, having served as Minister of Strategy and Finance under the Park Geun-hye administration and having been elected four times. Jo said, "I gave the local residents confidence that I would engage in dynamic political activities through close contact with them." The youngest elected representative in this election, Jeon Yonggi, born in 1991 and aged 32, also said, "Residents I met during the campaign encouraged me by saying they expect young politicians," adding, "At the same time, many also advised me to 'do things properly.'"

Candidate Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea, running for the 22nd National Assembly election in Hwaseong-jeong, is celebrating on the afternoon of the 10th at the campaign office in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, as his victory becomes certain. [Image source=Yonhap News]

They raised their voices to erase prejudices against young politicians in the 22nd National Assembly. Jeon said, "I hope to work more carefully and that many others will be given opportunities so that generational change can occur in politics as well." Kim said, "I don't think I was elected just because I am young," adding, "I will represent Dobong-gu and engage in political activities involving negotiation and dialogue as a lawmaker leading the Republic of Korea in the National Assembly." Jo said, "I proposed a pledge related to giving up the privileges of lawmakers, which is something young politicians without vested interests can do," adding, "I want to play a central role in reaching agreements with future generations on labor, education, and pension reforms."