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Three days after taking office, the ruling Democratic Party's Kim Min-seok leadership disclosed a list of top-ranking officials, triggering a clash with close friends (close family) faction top-ranking officials. The party's representative Kim Min-seok announced the top-ranking officials during the first party congress held three days after his inauguration.
He named 1991-born Jang Ung-gi (re-elected) as the top-ranking official for the youth, and Park Myeong-gyeong, head of Korea Labor Union National Federation, as the top-ranking official for labor. He explained that he took into account the youth and labor quotas, stating that he aimed to consider regional and gender representation.
Both Jang and Park are confirmed as top-ranking officials, making women part of the newly appointed leadership 3 out of the 9 members. The top-ranking officials previously served as the National University Students' Representative, Policy Supreme Board's Chair, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Committee, respectively.
Park, who worked as a nurse at the Eunson Medical Center, served as a union leader for the Sebeulsa Hospital Labor Union and was elected as a Seoul city councilor in 2014. However, later close friends faction top-ranking officials publicly expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that "no prior consultation was conducted" and that "the party constitution's procedure was violated" in the sudden announcement of the top-ranking officials.
Choi Min-hye top-ranking official tweeted, "According to Article 26 of the party constitution, top-ranking officials are decided by a highest-level vote." Han Min-su top-ranking official criticized, "A unilateral announcement by the party leader has effectively rendered the top-ranking official committee powerless." They particularly took issue with Kim Min-seok's promise during the party convention to nominate a youth top-ranking official through a 'celebration-style selection' process.
He also pointed out that Kim Min-seok did not abide by this promise. The top-ranking official ranking will be finalized after the highest-level vote at the Central Committee.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.