The Democratic Party of Korea has recruited lawyer Jeon Tae-jin as its first talent pick for the parliamentary by-election to be held alongside the June 3 local elections. Jeon, a native of Ulsan, will run in Ulsan Nam-gu A, where a by-election will take place following Rep. Kim Sang-wook's decision to run for Ulsan mayor.
Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae held the first talent recruitment ceremony at the National Assembly on Wednesday to announce Jeon's recruitment. Jeon began his legal career as a member of the 33rd class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute and is also recognized as a broadcasting and telecommunications expert through his advisory work at the Korea Communications Commission. Rep. Park Ji-hye, who moderated the event, said, "He has built administrative and policy capabilities through long legal experience and advisory roles at public institutions, making him a talent befitting the slogan of a new era of a great leap forward."
"Jeon was born in Ulsan and attended elementary, middle, and high school all in Ulsan, making him an Ulsan native to the core," Jung said. "Ulsan mayoral candidate Kim Sang-wook is also young and fresh, and Ulsan city party chairman Kim Tae-sun is a young worker as well," he said, emphasizing generational change.
Ahead of the recruitment ceremony, Rep. Kim wrote on Facebook, "It's not that the nomination went exactly the way I wanted," but added, "I ask you to join me as comrades of a new world so that we can open a new democratic world together with the by-election candidate."
Rep. Kim Young-jin, vice chairman of the party's talent recruitment committee, explained the background of the recruitment, saying, "As a graduate of Haksung High School, the oldest school in Ulsan Nam-gu A, and the Department of Political Science at Seoul National University, he has walked the path of democracy and justice with us. The aim is for the younger generation to create a great leap forward for Ulsan."
