Rep. Byun named MPK chief policymaker
By Kim Hyo-jin
Rep. Byun Jae-ill
The main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) appointed Rep. Byun Jae-ill as its chief policymaker, Wednesday.
Byun was elected to a fourth Assembly term in Cheongwon, North Chungcheong Province, in the general election last month.
His Byun’s counterparts are Rep. Kim Gwang-lim of the ruling Saenuri Party ― a former vice finance minister ― and Rep. Kim Sung-shik of the minor opposition People’s Party.
Byun served as vice communications minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2003. He headed the education, science, and technology committee in the 18th Assembly and the party’s Institute for Democracy and Policies think tank in the following Assembly.
He served as an emergency planning committee member in the party’s interim leadership led by Kim Chong-in.
“Byun is the most suitable person for the job considering the MPK is eyeing to become a competent party in economic policies,” Kim told reporters. “He understands the legislative procedure and the government’s policy implementation process well thanks to his long-term experience in the government and the Assembly.”
Byun vowed to devise policies aimed at creating more jobs for young people. Regarding the employment quota system for the young, which was one of the party pledges, he said: “I will push for the related bill in coordination with the ruling party.”