Shin Ji-ye Offers to Treat Lee Jun-seok to a Meal

"Democratic Party Betrays Values to Uphold as Progressives"
"Yoon Seok-yeol Promised Not to Change His Original Intent"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate (from the right), Shin Ji-ye, head of the Korean Women's Political Network who was recruited as the 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 recruits held on the 20th at the New Era Preparation Committee office in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Shin Ji-ye, head of the Korean Women’s Political Network and newly appointed senior vice chairman of the New Era Preparation Committee under Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, expressed her willingness to engage in dialogue with Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, on the 20th, saying, "I intend to treat him to a meal."

Shin revealed her intention on CBS Radio’s 'One Round Match,' stating, "I plan to meet Leader Lee first," in response to People Power Party figures who publicly opposed her joining the committee.

Regarding Lee’s remark that "if someone makes statements against the party’s basic policies, they will be restrained and corrected," she said, "That is a natural statement."

She added, "The People Power Party does not overlook violence against women nor propose policies that would increase it. On the contrary, I believe that by continuing more sound and healthy discussions, the party can transform into a healthy conservative mass party that embraces women, men, youth, and the elderly alike." Shin also said, "I don’t think the concerns Leader Lee has will actually materialize."

Meanwhile, she said that when she was first offered to join the People Power Party, "Honestly, I didn’t consider it at first and declined several times. But after careful thought and as the presidential election approached, I considered who realistically could be the candidate for regime change between the two parties and their candidates."

She continued, "The Democratic Party of Korea talks about progressivism but has betrayed the values it should uphold as progressives, citing cases like Cho Kuk, Yoon Mee-hyang, Oh Keo-don, Ahn Hee-jung, Park Won-soon, and even the satellite party scandal. Therefore, I judged that it is very important not to allow the forces that continue to commit illegal and irregular acts to extend their rule. Also, since Candidate Yoon promised not to change his original intention, I decided to support and empower him."

In a past interview with a media outlet, Shin criticized both candidates, saying, "Judging only by their images, one seemed like a gangster, and the other like a thug," referring to Yoon and Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung. She added, "I had concerns, but after meeting Candidate Yoon in person, he did not seem like a gangster."

"Rather, I realized I had judged him too easily just by his size, his footsteps, or certain gestures," she said.

She said, "I have a strong interest in women’s issues, safety, and human rights. Candidate Yoon repeatedly spoke about his work as a prosecutor, saying, ‘I want to protect that safety and uphold human rights and freedom in Korea.’ That made me realize my prejudice was wrong."

Born in 1990, Shin began her political activities in 2004 as head of the Korean Youth Association. She ran as a proportional representative candidate for the Green Party in the 2016 National Assembly election and also ran in the 2018 Seoul mayoral election. After leaving the Green Party early last year, she ran as an independent in the 21st general election and the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election this year.