Jin Joong-kwon: "Park Ji-won is desperate to join the Democratic Party"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon commented on June 13 that Park Ji-won, a member of the Alternative New Party, appeared on JTBC's 'Political Meeting' and argued that the Honam New Party should merge with the Democratic Party, saying, "He is desperate to join the Democratic Party."

On the morning of the same day, Jin posted on his Facebook, "The fact that opposition party members were mobilized in the national deception scandal involving certificate forgery during the Cho Kuk incident itself is meaningful. If this person actually joins the Democratic Party, he will have a lot to do," he said.

Jin added, "Currently, Lee Nak-yeon does not hold a very secure position within the Democratic Party. In the past, if Roh Moo-hyun was the son-in-law of Honam, now Lee Nak-yeon is the son-in-law of PK pro-Moon Jae-in faction. The pro-Moon insiders probably do not regard him favorably. He is from a different lineage than the PK faction. Since there is no alternative, they just leave him alone," he said.

He continued, "Jongno is a symbolic place for the next presidential election. Park Ji-won probably wants to join the Democratic Party, act as Lee Nak-yeon's bodyguard, and play the role of kingmaker," adding, "Cho Kuk is gone, Kim Kyung-soo is in a precarious position, and Lee Jae-myung was ousted by his own people."

He further said, "Although the pro-Moon insiders are reluctant, it seems they are accepting Lee Nak-yeon. I recall that even President Roh Moo-hyun was heavily shaken within the party during his candidacy. A similar situation is likely to occur. At that time, a seasoned bodyguard like Park Ji-won could play a significant role. It seems Park Ji-won has long anticipated gathering Honam lawmakers to fulfill that role," he added.

Jin emphasized, "This is purely my subjective 'speculation.' It is still at the level of delusion, so just listen and let it go. Regardless of who becomes the next leader, the pro-Moon insiders' past actions need to be thoroughly cleaned up," he stressed.

He criticized the pro-Moon insiders, saying, "Only their supporters fail to notice, but currently, not only the conservative base but also the moderate faction have a high level of anger toward their behavior. They cannot keep ignoring that anger forever," he said.

On the afternoon of the previous day (June 12), Park Ji-won, a member of the Alternative New Party, appeared on JTBC's 'Political Meeting' and was asked whether the Honam New Party could merge with the Democratic Party after the general election. He said, "On the day former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon stepped down, I met with former leader Chung Dae-chul and another person, and we discussed various things," adding, "It is true that such talks happened, but it is not at the implementation stage."

Park also hinted that after the general election, the Honam New Party could become a support base for former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon. He said, "Politics is a living thing, so we don't know where it will flow, but eventually, we have to meet. Especially for the re-creation of a progressive government, I am willing to play any role," he stated.

The full text of former professor Jin's Facebook post is as follows:

See? This person said, "He is desperate to join the Democratic Party."

The fact that opposition party members were mobilized in the national deception scandal involving certificate forgery during the Cho Kuk incident itself is meaningful. If this person actually joins the Democratic Party, he will have a lot to do. Currently, Lee Nak-yeon does not hold a very secure position within the Democratic Party. In the past, if Roh Moo-hyun was the son-in-law of Honam, now Lee Nak-yeon is the son-in-law of PK pro-Moon faction. The pro-Moon insiders probably do not regard him favorably. He is from a different lineage than the PK faction. Since there is no alternative, they just leave him alone. I've heard that they are not very keen on entrusting the Jongno election to him either. Jongno is a symbolic place for the next presidential election. Park Ji-won probably wants to join the Democratic Party, act as Lee Nak-yeon's bodyguard, and play the role of kingmaker.

Cho Kuk is gone, Kim Kyung-soo is in a precarious position, and Lee Jae-myung was ousted by his own people. Since there is no alternative, they are hastily reconciling with Lee Jae-myung while trying hard to promote Kim Du-kwan, but it won't be easy. When Kim Du-kwan gave up his metropolitan constituency and moved to the provinces, he probably had ambitious dreams. If he achieves results in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam election, he could rise to the ranks of presidential candidates. Kim Boo-kyum has also shown his capabilities as a minister, and if he survives in Daegu, he will be a candidate. The PK pro-Moon faction prefers these Yeongnam candidates over Lee Nak-yeon. Honestly, just two months ago, I was worried unnecessarily. I thought the PK pro-Moon faction might stir up supporters to catch this person as they did Lee Jae-myung. But seeing that they entrusted the Jongno election to him, it seems the pro-Moon insiders are reluctantly accepting Lee Nak-yeon. Of course, they must be somewhat uneasy.

Even if they don't like him, it is better to make Lee Nak-yeon president than to hand over the regime to the Liberty Korea Party. So, compromising with him is more rational than pushing him out. Still, since this is only Plan B, not Plan A, his position within the party will remain unstable. I recall that President Roh Moo-hyun was heavily shaken within the party during his candidacy. Eventually, the party split. A similar situation is likely to occur. At that time, a seasoned bodyguard like Park Ji-won could play a significant role. It seems Park Ji-won has long anticipated gathering Honam lawmakers to fulfill that role. And now, they have started moving in that direction.

This is purely my subjective 'speculation.' It is still at the level of delusion, so just listen and let it go. Regardless of who becomes the next leader, the pro-Moon insiders' past actions need to be thoroughly settled. If they continue to act shamelessly, demands for severance and purging of these new deep-rooted forces may arise during the presidential election process. Only their supporters fail to notice, but currently, not only the conservative base but also the moderate faction have a high level of anger toward their behavior. They cannot keep ignoring that anger forever. That is why the pro-Moon insiders' anxiety will not be completely resolved unless they place their own people. Kim Young-sam also sent Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo to prison.

PS. It seems difficult unless the Democratic Party yields. That is why he is appealing his usefulness to Lee Nak-yeon. How is the public opinion poll in Mokpo coming out roughly now?