Jihyun Park: "Internal Criticism Is Painful... But I Want to Show That the Democratic Party Is Different from the People Power Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Ji-hyun, Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed feelings of distress over criticism calling it ‘internal shooting’ related to sexual misconduct cases within the party, but also expressed determination to show that ‘the Democratic Party is different.’

On the 20th, during a phone interview on MBC Radio’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus,’ when asked to evaluate the ‘Park Wan-joo sexual misconduct case,’ Park said, "Every time I do an interview, I am asked about this issue, and then I have to answer honestly, but then I receive a flood of text messages telling me to ‘stop internal shooting’ and ‘Park Ji-hyun should resign.’" She added, "These questions are distressing, but my position remains unchanged."

She stated, "I believe all sexual crimes reported within our party should be dealt with promptly regardless of the local elections," and "I also think the Park lawmaker issue should be handled quickly within the party."

Park also explained the difference between the two major parties by mentioning the sexual bribery allegations against Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party. She said, "In the case of the People Power Party, even though their party leader is under suspicion of sexual bribery, they are quietly not taking any disciplinary action, which I find very problematic," adding, "They say they will postpone the disciplinary procedures until after the local elections. So I want to show that our party (the Democratic Party) and the People Power Party are different."

Regarding a rally announced by some calling on Park to stop internal shooting, she said, "I am really curious if they are truly ‘Gaeddal’ supporters." She added, "While traveling to many regions, I have heard a lot of criticism and blame from men and women in their 50s, but there was not a single woman in her 20s or 30s among them." She also expressed her intention to "continue communicating and create many opportunities for dialogue together for better change."