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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Kim Bo-mi: 'The Reality of 686꼰대... Song Young-gil Berated Me for Pointing Out His 'Exceptional Candidacy''

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A young politician criticized a senior party member's controversial bid for party leadership, citing procedural unfairness.
  • The senior member allegedly responded with anger and personal attacks instead of addressing the criticism.
  • The incident highlights generational tensions and perceptions of outdated leadership within the party.

Kim Bo-mi, the youngest candidate for the leadership of South Korea's Democratic Party, has demanded an apology from senior contender Song Young-gil. Kim alleges Song publicly berated her after she questioned the fairness of his candidacy. Song, who rejoined the party in February after a legal battle, did not meet the six-month membership requirement for leadership bids. The party granted him an exception, a decision Kim publicly criticized as a blatant display of unfairness.

This is exactly the reality of the 686꼰대 that young people talk about. It is a clear act of personal disrespect.

— Kim Bo-miKim Bo-mi described the alleged outburst from Song Young-gil as representative of an outdated leadership style.

According to Kim, Song shouted at her in front of other candidates, party officials, and staff at a press conference. She stated she politely suggested discussing the matter privately, but Song continued his outburst. She recounted Song saying, "I suffered so much for the prosecution reform, what have you done to help me?" Kim described this as a clear act of personal disrespect and representative of the "686꼰대" (a term for the older, often perceived as authoritarian, generation born in the 1960s and 70s) reality that young people speak of.

Kim had previously voiced her opposition to Song's exception on Facebook, comparing it to changing interview criteria for an unqualified job applicant. She argued it exemplified the ultimate unfairness that alienates young people. During the press conference, she reiterated her point, emphasizing that her criticism was directed at the process, not the individual. However, she noted that the discussion devolved into shouting and admonishment, with no substantive response to her concerns.

I suffered so much for the prosecution reform, what have you done to help me?

— Song Young-gilKim Bo-mi recounted Song Young-gil's alleged response when she questioned his candidacy eligibility.

Kim believes this incident clearly demonstrates why young people label the Democratic Party as a "686꼰대 party." She concluded that a party prioritizing conviction over listening and shouting over dialogue will not retain young members. The confrontation underscores a significant generational divide and a perceived resistance to change within the party's established leadership.

What I pointed out was not the person, but the process. The point disappeared, and only shouting and lecturing remained.

— Kim Bo-miKim Bo-mi explained her criticism was focused on procedural fairness, not a personal attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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