"I Will Approach This with the Attitude Befitting a Progressive Party Candidate"
Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party candidate, stated on the 24th, "On the day I was heading to Gangwon Province, the owner of a rest area told me that after watching the TV debate yesterday, he was greatly comforted and offered words of support."
Kwon Youngguk, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, is speaking at the 2nd candidate debate for the 21st presidential election hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, held at the KBS main building studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
On Facebook that day, Kwon said, "Although it was still early in the day, the owner also mentioned that business was very poor and things were difficult, which once again weighed heavily on my mind. It made me reflect on the meaning of politics."
Kwon emphasized, "In the second debate, I addressed a wider range of issues and presented the greatest number of policies and pledges compared to any other candidate. I trust that the citizens will recognize this."
Kwon also criticized, "I am deeply disappointed by Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, who has no clear stance on the 12·12 military coup and election fraud; by Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, who shamelessly tries to divide people by mentioning Dongduk Women's University and the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and whose pledges lack sincerity; and by Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, whose irresponsible attitude is shown in claiming that the construction of Gadeokdo Airport must proceed for political reasons."
Kwon added, "In my closing remarks, I was unable to mention many names, including workers currently engaged in high-altitude protests. In the third debate next week, I will continue to approach the discussion from the perspective of workers, ordinary people, and minorities, maintaining the stance befitting a progressive party candidate who seeks to reconstruct Korean society."
Kwon was selected as the candidate by the Presidential Election Solidarity for Social Transformation, an alliance composed of the Justice Party, Labor Party, Green Party, and civil society organizations. Kwon, a former worker dismissed from Poongsan Metal, passed the bar exam in 1999 and has since worked in the labor field, including as a legal representative for the Ssangyong Motor mass layoff case. His key pledges include: ▲ electoral system reform ▲ amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act ▲ a citizen minimum income of 1 million won ▲ introduction of a super-wealth tax on the top 0.1 percent, among others.
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