Park Ji-hyun "Including Voluntary Retirement of 86 Group... Party Reform Plan to Be Announced This Week"

On the 24th, Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Committee, Holds 'Urgent Press Conference'
"Shedding the Hypocrisy Label, Will Not Shield Wrongdoing Politicians"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, bowed her head on the 24th, saying, "I will apologize a hundred times, a thousand times more. Please trust Park Ji-hyun more. If given a chance in this local election, I will take responsibility and change the Democratic Party."

On the 24th, eight days before the June 1 local elections, Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office to make a final public appeal to rally support. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the morning of the same day, Chair Park held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "I will faithfully carry out the public's order to reflect and change. I will abandon politics that only cares about holding onto positions and pursue politics that align with the people and common sense."

She added, "The Democratic Party will become stricter with our own mistakes," emphasizing, "We will shed the stigma of double standards, not compromise with sentimentalism, and not cover up for fellow politicians who have done wrong under the pretext of a greater cause."

She continued, "The true cause of the Democratic Party is to protect crime victims, return lost opportunities to the youth who have missed them, and take the lead in protecting hardworking ordinary citizens," stressing, "That is the path the Democratic Party must take."

Chair Park also spoke harshly toward blind hardline supporters.

She said, "We must not succumb to forces that criticize differing opinions as internal betrayal," adding, "The Democratic Party must embrace diverse opinions to properly remember and fully innovate. We will return to the Democratic Party that once thrilled at democracy."

After the press conference, Chair Park told reporters about 'fandom politics,' "I think fandom politics is unhealthy." She emphasized, "We should be looking at political pledges and such, but it seems blind loyalty is being displayed. Creating a healthier public discourse is a task our political sphere must undertake."

On the 24th, eight days before the June 1 local elections, Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, bowed in greeting after concluding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office appealing to the public for final support consolidation. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In response to reporters' questions about "declarations of not running in the party leadership election and calls for the 86-generation mainstream members to step down," Chair Park said, "Regarding that point, there will be sufficient discussions within the party today and tomorrow, and an announcement will be made within this week."

She also said, "Regarding the retirement of the 86-generation as well, in the process of drawing a picture for the Democratic Party to become a younger party, there needs to be discussions about what the current vested interests should do and what process must be followed for the Democratic Party to truly show reflection and reform."