Ko Min-jung: "Next Generation Must Push Up Older Generation, Considering Running for Party Leader... Politicians Too Swayed by YouTube"

[Ju Yeong-jin's News Briefing]

When quoting this interview, please credit the program 'SBS <Ju Yeong-jin's News Briefing>'. Copyright belongs to SBS.

■ Broadcast: SBS <Ju Yeong-jin's News Briefing> Mon–Fri (14:00–15:20)
■ Host: Anchor Ju Yeong-jin
■ Guest: Representative Ko Min-jung of the Democratic Party of Korea
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● Interview with Democratic Party Representative Ko Min-jung

"“Blue House Meeting,” Lee and Moon did their best... how to realize it is the task"
"Messages of President Lee and former President Moon emphasize being a president for everyone"
"Debate over “internal unity” vs. “expansion” is unproductive"
"Democratic Party's “one-team” spirit must be a democratic united front... we must compete healthily"
"Dynamism of the new generation is needed... considering running for party leader"
"Democratic Party's role is to succeed the Moon administration and make the Lee Jae-myung administration a success"
"Why must the Supreme Court and Supreme Prosecutors' Office be in Seocho-dong? Youth housing, etc., should be guaranteed"
"Frustrated that veteran party leadership contenders are failing to drive the agenda"
"Messages from the “86 generation” leadership contenders fail to inspire"
"It is true the current situation looks like a conflict... we must resolve it in a sophisticated way"
"Politicians are too swayed by YouTubers... if they have convictions, they should push forward"

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▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: We are joined by Representative Ko Min-jung of the Democratic Party. Welcome. 

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Glad to be here. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: You seem to be appearing in the media quite often lately. Is the media seeking you out? 

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Well, I wonder.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: The recent situation in the Democratic Party seems to be intertwined with this. Yesterday, July 1, President Lee Jae-myung and former President Moon Jae-in had lunch together. What are your thoughts? Just a moment ago, Representative Im Mi-ae said, "It will serve as an occasion for restraint, though I don't know if unity will actually be achieved." What do you think?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Ultimately, the task left for those of us remaining in the party is how well we can realize the intentions of the two presidents. The homework has now been given to us. The two presidents did the best they could in their own way.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: Yesterday, we also listened to what former President Moon Jae-in and President Lee Jae-myung said during their opening remarks. Former President Moon said we must unite first—that we must achieve unity among ourselves within the party first so that we can become one big whole later. On the other hand, President Lee emphasized structural expansion and a structural majority, stressing that we need to expand our reach. This made me think there might be a slight difference in perception or thinking between the two.

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: I interpreted it as people trying very hard to find a difference in their thinking. I watched the video of the two presidents meeting and read the briefing released by the Blue House afterward. The common thread in both of their remarks was an emphasis on being "a president for everyone." President Lee started as the Democratic Party's candidate, but he is now the president. So, while people talk a lot about expanding his reach, he is actually continuing to show a direction toward achieving national unity. As for former President Moon, he took office after overcoming the massive wave of Park Geun-hye's impeachment. However, there is actually a lot of self-reflection on whether we truly achieved an impeachment coalition or a candlelight coalition back then. So, there is a strong sentiment that the current Lee Jae-myung administration must achieve such a coalition. I believe former President Moon shared that thought. However, debating whether internal party unity comes first or expanding our reach comes first feels like repeating the chicken-or-egg debate endlessly, which is not productive at all. In the end, they were saying the same thing. That is my view.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: During the meeting between the current and former presidents, they even brought up the issue of "derogatory terms" (myeolching)—a word that viewers might not be familiar with unless they pay close attention. It is a modern term used to refer to names meant to demean the other side. If they went as far as to say we shouldn't use these derogatory terms, it seems there was a serious realization of how much these derogatory terms and comparisons, which have been reported in the media during the Democratic Party's national convention process, divide rather than unite us.

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: That's correct. Once we recognize the issue, what remains is the effort to fix it. I think the public will grade us on how much we change. No matter how hard we try, we can't make it 100% clean. It's about how much painstaking effort we put in. I am very curious to see how people will view it. First of all, there don't seem to be that many politicians who actually use those derogatory terms. Recently, however, someone used the term "Moon-again," reminiscent of "Yoon-again," which triggered a lot of anger among party members. I hope people reflect on how much each of these words divides people, and I believe it is a politician's duty to strive to express things without resorting to such language. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: For former President Moon Jae-in, the fact that his own name was included in a derogatory term must have been quite shocking, don't you think?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Well, from my personal experience, I remember former President Moon Jae-in as someone who is not easily shaken by any criticism or blame directed at him. However, for those who support, like, and want to follow him, watching that happen is unbearable. It is the exact same feeling we had when there was mockery and derogatory terms directed at President Roh Moo-hyun. It is hard enough to endure attacks from the outside, but when such things happen internally, it reaches an intolerable point. The two presidents, recognizing the severity of the situation, decided that they could no longer let it slide, which led them to make those remarks. First of all, this requires self-reflection on our part. We must make painstaking efforts to see how much we can change going forward.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: But now we are entering a phase where the race for the Democratic Party leadership is heating up. Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has returned to the party, former Representative Jung Chung-rae stepped down as leader and is running, and Representative Song Young-gil is constantly doing media interviews. In this leadership race, do you think the silent agreement—not to attack each other—which the current and former presidents were concerned about, will actually be kept? Most people expect that won't be the case, given how fierce the race is shaping up to be. 

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Right now, because there are many people who hope we don't end up that way, we have to make an immense effort to succeed. In a situation where everyone wants things to go well, even a small positive step can easily spread. However, currently, there are many people trying to drive a wedge, saying, "No, unity won't happen. That wasn't a message of unity." Therefore, I believe we must make an effort beyond what we can imagine. Having said that, does this mean competition within the party should completely disappear or that we shouldn't say anything at all? No, that's not it either. That's why whenever we discuss what stance we should take, we always hear about a "united front" or a "one-team spirit." But I strongly believe that this united front and one-team spirit must be a democratic united front. It shouldn't mean that all debate and competition disappear and we just blindly become one. Instead, we should debate and compete healthily, but once a decision is made, we back it up. I believe that is what a democratic united front is, and that is the path our Democratic Party must take. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: So that is a democratic united front, a democratic unity. Blind unity is not what is important. We should also learn from the lessons of the previous administration. But besides the three politicians mentioned, don't you think there might be other politicians who could challenge for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party? What about you, Representative Ko? There are many speculations that you might run for the Supreme Council. What are your thoughts?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Serving consecutive terms is enough with being a member of the National Assembly. Well, I don't know what I can do, but in the meantime, what the public has often demanded from the Democratic Party is replacement with new people. That's why criticism of the "386 generation" (politicians who went to university in the 1980s and were born in the 1960s) has constantly come up. However, having the next generation simply step into the seats vacated by our 386 seniors doesn't seem very healthy. I believe it is most desirable for the next generation to push up and displace the older generation, like the waves of the Yangtze River. For that to happen, there must be dynamism and struggles from our generation, which can be called the new generation. That is why I am currently contemplating various options.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: So you are also contemplating. It sounds like you might run in the leadership race—that you might make that choice?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Yes, I am keeping that option open. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: Winning or losing is certainly important, but if you do run in the national convention, what will your message be? It has to go beyond just saying, "I will play the role of pushing back our 386 seniors." What you actually say will be crucial, right?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: I believe our role right now is to succeed the Moon Jae-in government and make the Lee Jae-myung government a success. However, currently, people keep repeatedly asking, "Is it the Moon government or the Lee government? Mom or Dad?" I am just myself. I have to prove my own existence. The reason people are frowning when they look at the Democratic Party right now is that they are struggling to make a living and are crying out, "Why are you fighting among yourselves over things that don't even have answers?" Right now, stock prices are rising endlessly. The KOSPI has hit 9,000. However, there are so many young people who cannot reach those stocks. And the wealth generated is flowing into real estate, causing the housing market to rise again. Yet, when you turn on the news, it is always flooded with policies related to buying and selling real estate. I have been living in jeonse (lump-sum deposit rental) myself, but even if houses are put on the market, people like us do not have the financial capacity to buy them. We can't get loans, and we can't afford it with our current assets. Therefore, we need very drastic measures for jeonse and monthly rentals, and supply policies—every administration just talks about supplying housing, but it never actually happens. It was the same during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. I always wonder, "Why must the Supreme Court or the Supreme Prosecutors' Office be in Seocho-dong?" I think they should all be relocated. In their place, we should guarantee youth housing and newlyweds' housing—whether it's 20% or 30%, we would need to look into the feasibility, but we must guarantee such things. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: And making such scenarios a reality is what politics is about?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Yes. In the past, people often said that the Democratic Party's position was always a party for the working class and the middle class. However, because that divides people by ideology, it doesn't seem to resonate well anymore. Nevertheless, in a situation where the gap is widening like this, narrowing this gap is the role the Democratic Party must play. That is precisely about real estate and jobs, which I mentioned. In that regard, my statement that "we must relocate the Supreme Court immediately" is very aggressive and unconventional. There will be many opposing views. But that is exactly where the debate should happen: whether doing so is right or wrong, and which class should receive more housing supply. However, all of those discussions have disappeared now. Those who are currently running for party leadership are our party's veteran politicians who have been in politics for a long time, so I assume they have a lot of experience. But I feel a bit frustrated as to why they cannot drive such agendas and issues. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: Hearing you speak reminds me of the situation when the late former President Roh Moo-hyun brought up the agenda of relocating the administrative capital during his presidential campaign. I can imagine how the map would change if the Supreme Court and the Prosecutors' Office were relocated and youth housing was built in that space. I think it is a topic well worth discussing. In any case, the three politicians currently mentioned as leadership contenders coincidentally all belong to the "86 generation." They have in common that they devoted themselves to the democratization movement during their university days, entered politics early, and have now become veteran politicians serving five, six, or four terms. But listening to you, it seems the messages these three are delivering to the public and party members are failing to move your heart? 

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Yes, I find them uninspiring. The anxiety young people have about jobs is not just about not having a job right now, but the feeling that even if they build up their resumes diligently, those jobs might disappear in 10 years. There is a sense of helplessness and fear about that. This is about how we will manage job transitions in the era of AI. This is no longer an area for armchair theories; it is an area where we must actually find answers. However, it does not seem that discussions on this are being held properly. Some say we can start after the national convention ends, after August, so let's wait and the time will come. The phrase I've heard the most is "the time will come if you wait," but I believe you make your own time. And from President Lee Jae-myung's perspective, every single day must feel too precious to waste, with the pressure being so intense. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: Indeed. 

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Because whether it is serving consecutive terms or multiple terms, it is difficult under the current system. So, we need to split even a single day, all 24 hours, to create something that can help us leap into the future, but since that is not happening, he must feel very frustrated. I think former President Moon Jae-in also shares a lot of that frustration.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: The media is analyzing this, and names like writer Rhyu Si-min are being mentioned. From your perspective, Representative Ko, do you feel there was clearly some conflict over the past year of the Lee Jae-myung administration, especially within the Democratic Party or in party-presidency relations? For instance, it seemed there was some friction between Representative Jung Chung-rae and President Lee Jae-myung, or with the Blue House. At the same time, do you think there was some conflict or tension—perhaps differences in perception and thinking—between those who worked in the Lee Jae-myung administration and those from the former Moon Jae-in administration?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: No human relationship can be free of tension. Even married couples have tension. However, how well we resolve that conflict makes the difference between being sophisticated or not. But the way things are being shown now continues to look like conflict to the public. I believe turning that conflict into synergy is something well within human capability, but it seems it is not being done in a sophisticated manner. So, I don't understand why those with long political careers and high standing cannot do this. I don't know. I'd like to ask them.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: They might say, "You'll understand once you get a bit more experience; it's just because you haven't been in politics very long."

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Actually, I do reflect on myself in that regard. Because they also started politics in their 30s, and by my age, they were already in very high positions. Therefore, they have much more experience. On the other hand, as I approach my late 40s, I reflect on what I have accomplished. So, these days, I feel a mix of a sense of duty and perhaps guilt, feeling that I must do something.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: When do you think you will be able to organize your thoughts? 

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Well, since the countdown has begun, I will have to make a decision within a few days. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: It feels like your mind is leaning heavily toward running?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: I'm not sure. 

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: You must have closely read the analysis articles after the last local elections saying that the 2030 generation is turning away from and leaving the Democratic Party. You might wonder, "How did the Democratic Party end up like this? Those young generations were always with us." Don't you think so?

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: I don't believe that one has to be young in physical age to represent the younger generation. However, it is about how much we empathized. I think our ability to empathize was somewhat lacking. Politics is about two things: justice and empathy, but I feel the Democratic Party was only burning with a sense of justice. So, what are their concerns? As I mentioned earlier, no matter what real estate policies are introduced, what we need now are housing rights policies. There are still young people living in local districts. What kind of measures will we provide for them? The job issue. As I said, what is the point of building up a resume when those jobs will disappear in the future? The state must present a vision of what role it will play so that these young people can decide in which direction to prepare their resumes. But when there is an attack from the media, YouTubers, or online, we seem to have jumped on the bandwagon too easily. I believe this is true not only for the Democratic Party but also for the People Power Party—the entire political sphere is currently being swayed too much by YouTubers. Even if they face some criticism, if they have convictions they believe are right, they should sometimes push forward so that the public can judge, "Ah, that was right," or "As expected, that was wrong." But because they move too easily, the space for the public to make judgments keeps disappearing.

▷ [Anchor] Ju Yeong-jin: It seems we have been too swayed or influenced by YouTube. I hope the points Representative Ko made today will lead to healthy policy debates in the upcoming Democratic Party leadership race. Thank you for speaking with us today.

▶ [Interview] Ko Min-jung / Democratic Party Representative: Thank you. 

※ For more details, please check the video.
 
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.