Song Young-gil: Winning over 2030 voters is key to re-electing government

Song Young-gil, a prominent figure expected to run for the leadership of the Democratic Party, stated that the party must win the hearts of voters in their 20s and 30s to secure victory in the crucial 2030 presidential election. He argued that internal debates over prosecutorial investigation rights are a waste of time and could jeopardize the party's chances of retaining power.

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There is a crucial presidential election in 2030. What is the meaning of spending time debating the supplementary investigation rights within the party if we fail to re-elect the government? We can only re-elect the government if we win the hearts of young people in their 20s and 30s.

Speaking at a party meeting for student members, Song emphasized that focusing on the "supplementary investigation rights" debate would be meaningless if the party fails to win the next presidential election. He asserted that gaining the support of young voters is the only path to re-electing the current administration. Song also criticized the party's past election results, warning that a "꼰대" (old-fashioned/condescending) perspective cannot solve problems.

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We cannot create a future by viewing the fact that young people have turned away from us through the stereotypical and complacent '꼰대' perspective of the older generation, saying they have become 'extremely right-wing.'

He pointed to the recent local and by-election results as a clear warning from voters and young people. Song rejected the notion that young people turning away from the party is due to "extreme right-wing" tendencies, calling such views a complacent and outdated perspective from the older generation. He believes the party needs to move beyond these internal disputes and focus on appealing to the youth.

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If we lose power, all reforms will be reversed. The most important reform task of this era is for the Democratic Party to move forward, supporting the future of those in their 20s and 30s.

Song also proposed a "one-point constitutional amendment" to address issues like special treatment in appointments within the election management committee. He argued that the current system, where the election committee chairman also serves as a Supreme Court justice, creates blind spots for oversight, allowing officials to prioritize their own vested interests. Song concluded by calling for a complete transformation of the Democratic Party, urging it to become a party where students and those in their 20s can freely dream of the future, rather than being associated with an "old-fashioned culture."

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The election management committee chairman serves concurrently as a Supreme Court justice on a non-executive basis, creating a blind spot for audits, allowing the Secretary-General and staff to only look after their vested interests. We must undergo a complete transformation.