Kim Eo-jun: "If the presidential election is lost, it will be chaos... The Democratic Party is united"

Democratic Party under Emergency Committee System, Park Ji-hyun Selected and Half of 2030 Generation 'Bold' Appointments
Kim Eo-jun "If We Lose Big Election, Party Could Break... At This Level, No Damage"

Yun Ho-jung, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is walking to pay respects at the grave of President Kim Dae-jung at Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 14th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun evaluated the Democratic Party of Korea, which switched to an emergency committee system after losing the 20th presidential election, saying, "Normally, when a party loses a big election, it almost falls apart, but this time it is well-organized and swift."

On the 14th, on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' Kim said, "The Democratic Party is still somewhat unsettled. There are claims like 'Can the local elections be held under Emergency Committee Chair Yoon Ho-jung?' and 'Candidate Lee Jae-myung should step forward.' However, compared to past presidential election defeats where the party became chaotic, this time the damage (shock) is almost none."

Earlier, Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung announced the emergency committee lineup, appointing Park Ji-hyun, former activist of 'Chujeokdan Bulkkot' who exposed the Nth Room case, as co-chair of the party's Women's Committee. At a press conference on the 13th, Chair Yoon said, "The emergency committee carries the heavy responsibility of fundamental party reform and preparing for the local elections," adding, "We finalized the emergency committee with five non-parliamentary members representing various social sectors and the voices of the people, two party-affiliated lawmakers, and principles of youth, women, livelihood, and unity. Notably, half of the members are from the 2030 generation."

Chair Yoon continued, "Co-chair Park has fought against illegality and injustice despite all kinds of threats. This time, she showed courage by putting aside her mask and ID and standing before the public with her real name," and said, "Her decisive actions representing youth are exactly the values the Democratic Party needs right now. Co-chair Park will lead policies on sexual crime measures, women's policies, and overall policies from the perspective of socially vulnerable youth. We have great expectations."

Regarding the 'early return theory' of former Democratic presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, Chair Yoon said, "I think it would be good to give Candidate Lee time to decide his own course," adding, "There are people who believe his role is necessary in the local elections, but that is also a decision for the candidate to make, and we intend to respect his decision."

Meanwhile, Chair Yoon and the emergency committee members began their activities on the morning of the 14th by paying respects at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-dong, Seoul. After visiting the grave of the late former President Kim Dae-jung within the cemetery, they held their first emergency committee meeting at the National Assembly that morning. Co-chair Park Ji-hyun will not attend the official schedule due to a COVID-19 diagnosis but is expected to deliver a speech via a pre-recorded video.