Ruling Party's Kim Dong-A Runs for National Youth Committee Chairmanship: "Strong Parliamentary Youth Chair of the Government Party"

"I Will Be the Frontrunner to Regain the Support of the 2030 Generation"

Kim Donga, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced her candidacy for the Democratic Party National Youth Committee Chair election on the 2nd, stating, "As a strong youth floor leader for the ruling party, I will communicate the voices of young people to the central party and government, and delegate the authority of the National Youth Committee to young people in the field."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Center on this day, Assemblywoman Kim declared, "I will become a champion of change who wins back the support of the 2030 generation."

Kim Donga, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Office of Kim Donga.

She explained her decision to run by saying, "Even during the crisis of Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection, together with many citizens who defended the National Assembly and the public square, young people played a proud leading role. However, despite the burning passion and dedication they have shown, the reality young people now face remains very harsh."

Assemblywoman Kim pointed out that 74 percent of Democratic Party rights party members in their 20s and 30s have warned that "the party does not listen to the voices of young people," stating, "I will completely reform the National Youth Committee into a practical problem-solving organization and a reliable stepping stone for young politicians."

First, she pledged to introduce an elected youth supreme council member to grant key decision-making authority within the party to young people. She also promised to allocate the central party’s youth budget to city and provincial youth committees or local committees to ensure independence, and to establish a ‘Youth Participatory Budget System’ that allows young party members to directly plan initiatives.

She further announced plans to invigorate public project competitions, nationwide speech contests, regional athletic events, and international exchanges among political party youth.

Kim also promised to reduce the candidate deposit and primary election fees for young candidates, aiming to lower the financial barriers and thereby facilitate greater youth participation in politics. In addition, she pledged to expand the party’s Youth Development Fund to support policy development, public relations, and legal education for young members.

She proposed to establish a ‘2030 Emergency Issues Task Force’ within the Youth Committee to address urgent key issues such as jobs, housing, damages suffered during military service, employment gaps and safety and human rights concerns facing young women.

Kim also introduced a pledge to restructure the Prime Minister’s Office-affiliated Youth Foundation into a national ‘Youth Policy Promotion Agency,’ thereby unifying support programs for youth policy.

Kim concluded, "Through the National Youth Committee, young people themselves will lead change within the Democratic Party. I will ensure the success of youth-oriented policies under the Lee Jaemyung administration and achieve victory in the general election centered on young people."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party will be electing national chairs for various fields this November. After registering candidates for the national chair positions on the 7th and 8th, elections will be held from the 1st to the 3rd of next month for delegates and rights party members. Positions to be elected include 10 categories: women, youth, seniors, university students, people with disabilities, labor, farmers and fishermen, Euljiro, social solidarity economy, and small business owners.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.