Yeo Youth Spokesperson: "Shin Ji-ye, Are You Going to Become a Member of the Group You Once Called Nazis?"

"Just a month ago, they said they would stick to the third zone"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate (from the right), Shin Ji-ye, head of the Korean Women's Political Network and newly appointed senior vice chairman of the New Era Preparation Committee, and Kim Han-gil, chairman of the New Era Preparation Committee, are posing for a commemorative photo at the welcoming ceremony for new appointees held on the 20th at the New Era Preparation Committee office in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Ha Heon-gi, youth spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Shin Ji-ye, head of the Korean Women’s Political Network, who joined the People Power Party. He questioned whether it is appropriate for her to be active as a member of a party she once described as a "Hitler party."

On the 20th, Ha wrote on his Facebook, "Ms. Shin, you are now active in a party you yourself evaluated as a 'Hitler party,'" and pointed out, "Just a month ago, you were advocating for maintaining the 'third zone' position."

He continued, "I am confused about how to politically explain the path you have shown so far. (Shin) said that Lee Jun-seok’s rise was 'an event that rose on the tears of women,' so does that mean you stole women’s tears?" he questioned.

He added, "I believe feminists can support the People Power Party, the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, or even create an independent party. However, Shin’s remarks are absurd even by the standards of ordinary politicians," and criticized, "Regardless of feminism, considering she is a young female politician who had the support of progressives, we should think about what kind of criticism or ridicule ordinary third zone people would face if they took such a path."

Ha also pointed out, "Until just a month ago, Shin insisted on maintaining the third zone, and those words still remain," and criticized, "She compared the candidates of the two major parties to 'gangsters and thugs' and urged people to pay attention to the third zone."

Shin Ji-hye, CEO of the Korean Women’s Political Network, posted a tweet on her Twitter account on the 24th of last month / Photo by Twitter Capture

He then criticized, "Should we see this as her deciding to become a member of a group she herself called Nazis? Or is it okay because candidate Yoon is someone who has conflicts with Representative Lee?"

On the same day, Shin was recruited as the senior vice-chairperson of the New Era Preparation Committee, a direct organization of Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate. At the talent recruitment welcome ceremony held that day, Yoon said, "I think we need to broaden the base of public support and expand philosophy and camps," and evaluated, "Because it is essential to have broad understanding and insight to realize regime change and build a proper liberal democratic country, I deeply appreciate Shin’s difficult decision."

At the welcome ceremony, Shin said, "I had many concerns," but added, "I decided to join because you promised to create a Korea that moves forward beyond left and right in solving women’s violence and responding to the climate crisis."

Meanwhile, Shin began her political activities in 2004 as the head of the Korean Youth Association, ran as the 5th candidate on the Green Party’s proportional representation list in the 2016 general election, ran for Seoul mayor as a Green Party candidate in the 2018 local elections, and ran as an independent candidate in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election.

Focusing on women’s and environmental policies in the third zone, she has strongly criticized the People Power Party in the past. Regarding Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, she said, "His political rise happened by feeding on the tears of women." On the 24th of last month, she also tweeted, "The People Power Party cannot be an alternative for feminists."