[Herald Economy = Reporter Moon Hye-hyun] On April 23, the Democratic Party Office Staff Labor Union (the Party Staff Union) urged party leader Jeong Cheong-rae to “strategically review and make decisions about candidates from among party staff,” saying this is needed now that the party leadership has announced a policy of strategic nominations.The union issued a statement titled “Party staff who have protected the party — now it’s the party’s turn to answer” and pressed Leader Jeong to respond to that demand.
“Party staff have served the party for years from behind the scenes,” the union said. “They have defended the party on the front lines of organization and operations during every election, and party staff were present even at moments of regime change.”
“They acted the same way when the party faced crises,” the union continued. “Through political upheaval, periods of martial law, and the moment of impeachment, they stood firm and kept the party afloat. They are the people who step forward whenever the party needs them. Yet their dedication and labor have not been matched by sufficient political opportunity or recognition.”
The union reiterated that the party should take staff members’ long-standing commitment into account when selecting nominees for the upcoming by-elections.
The union specifically highlighted Lee Gwang-soo, secretary-general of the North Chungcheong provincial party, who has announced his intention to run in the National Assembly by-election for the Gunsan–Gimje–Buan constituency in North Jeolla Province. It noted that Lee has more than 15 years of experience performing political and organizational duties at the central party, provincial and city parties, and the Blue House, and described him as a talent who rose from the party staff ranks.“We ask that the hard work and value of party staff who have devoted themselves to the party be fairly evaluated in this strategic nomination process for the by-election,” the union appealed.
“There are people who have protected the party from unseen positions — the party staff. They stood their ground during regime changes and whenever the party faced crises. Now the party must answer their dedication,” the union said.
