Lee Hak-young, Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea National Convention Preparatory Committee (Jeonjunwi), urged the adoption of a youth supreme council member system.

Democratic Party of Korea acting leader and floor leader Han Byeong-do speaks during the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 10th./Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

Lee, the Chairperson, issued a statement on the 11th, saying, "Jeonjunwi decided at its fourth plenary meeting on the 9th to introduce a 'youth supreme council member system' into the party leadership at this convention," and added, "Jeonjunwi and the Democratic Party agree that the youth supreme council member system is an important task of the times that can no longer be delayed and a spirit of the times toward the future."

Lee, the Chairperson, said, "We must vividly represent the difficulties young people face in their own voices and ensure that those voices directly reach the party's decision-making," and added, "Raising the political representation of young people and opening a path for their participation in the party leadership—that is an important mission given to today's politics."

Lee continued, "Now is precisely the golden time for our party to reach the young generation," stressing, "The youth supreme council member system is the first step to opening that door, and a clear promise and commitment that the Democratic Party will walk with young people."

Lee, the Chairperson, said, "For Jeonjunwi's decision to be substantively implemented at the convention, the follow-up procedures must proceed swiftly and without setbacks," and added, "We ask the Supreme Council to respect Jeonjunwi's decision and to deliberate and resolve it promptly."

Although the introduction of the youth supreme council member system was approved by Jeonjunwi on the 9th, it has not cleared the Supreme Council. Resistance is strong among pro-pro-Myung factions, including Supreme Council member Moon Jeong-bok. Moon criticized at the Supreme Council, saying, "To change the rules to elect (a youth supreme council member) is something that cannot be done without some ulterior motive."

By contrast, party leadership contenders former Prime Minister Kim Meon-seok and lawmaker Song Young-gil support introducing the youth supreme council member system. Former Prime Minister Kim wrote on X on the 11th, "I respect Jeonjunwi's position and will on preferential voting, which poses no problem under the party constitution and rules or by precedent, and on introducing a youth supreme council member for the party's future," and added, "I ask the Supreme Council to promptly handle the items Jeonjunwi approved."

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