"Request for Prime Minister Recommendation from Chairperson Woo Won-shik Right After Appointment"

Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, proposed a bold plan to fill half of the cabinet with individuals in their 30s if he is elected president.

He also stated that he would appoint a person recommended by both the ruling and opposition parties as the Prime Minister, indicating a departure from the traditional president-centered personnel practices.

Recently, in an appearance on the YouTube channel 'EomTube' (hosted by Eom Seong-seob), the candidate revealed, "I plan to visit National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik the very next day after my inauguration to request a recommendation for the Prime Minister candidate through agreement between the ruling and opposition parties."

He added, "If an agreement is difficult, I will ask the majority party to recommend multiple candidates, and I will choose from those."

"Half of the Cabinet to be in Their 30s… Employing Young Talent Regardless of Political Leanings"

The candidate emphasized the principle of a 'boldly young cabinet' for the new government. He stated, "Regardless of party affiliation, whether on the left or right, I am envisioning young and capable personnel at the shadow cabinet level," adding, "I cannot disclose names, but I can assure you it will be younger than any previous cabinet."

In particular, he highlighted, "If the president is 40 years old, then about half of the cabinet should be in their 30s," reinforcing his commitment to breaking the generational glass ceiling through symbolic appointments.

He claimed, "A young cabinet will not only change the government organization but will also serve as a catalyst for change in the bureaucracy and the private sector," asserting that if a minister is in their 30s, it will break the prevailing atmosphere that prevents individuals in their 30s from becoming executives in private companies.

"Breaking the Seniority System is the Start of National Innovation"

The candidate clearly criticized the chronic seniority culture in Korean society and asserted that breaking it is a core part of his governance philosophy.

He remarked, "If the minister is in their 30s, can a government department say, 'You're too young, so we will disregard your opinion'?" and added, "Such an incident would immediately challenge the minister's leadership."

Moreover, he emphasized, "Breaking the seniority system decisively is my intention, and innovating the Republic of Korea in this way is my vision."

Lee Jun-seok's plan for a 'young cabinet' is interpreted as a strategy targeting both generational change and a shift in leadership simultaneously.

However, some critics have pointed out that an obsession with formal age resembles the behavior of a past government that aimed to appoint 'X number of women in the cabinet.'

Image source: Lee Jun-seok Candidate / News1, News1, YouTube 'EomTube'