Park Ji-hyun: "Not Saying All 586 Should Retire... Apologies Until the Public Accepts Them"

Criticism Within the Party as "Internal Shooting? It Means Not Practicing Intra-Party Democracy"
Regarding Choi Kang-wook, "If Necessary as Party Leader, Emergency Disciplinary Power Should Be Exercised"

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Democratic Party's Election Committee, is speaking at the joint meeting of the election committee for national balance and livelihood stability held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, addressed internal criticism surrounding her 'public apology,' stating, "An apology is made until the recipient says they have accepted it," and added, "It must be done until the public accepts it."

On the 26th, on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' Park said, "It is naturally regrettable that there was internal conflict within the party. More important than the fact that conflict arose is how we resolve it," and added, "Please consider it as the growing pains in the process of being reborn."

When asked about the criticism that "elections cannot be won by apologies," she responded, "I disagree. Until now, the public has been disappointed by the Democratic Party's lack of reflection," and said, "I feel that many people are paying attention to the Democratic Party as I repeatedly apologize and say we will change the party. I am confident that apologies and reform will arouse public interest in the Democratic Party and raise the party's approval ratings."

Regarding internal criticism of her public apology, she said, "I felt a lot of regret about the criticism that internal democracy is being called internal bashing. Defining criticism as internal bashing is no different from saying we should not practice internal democracy," and added, "It could be seen as resistance to the Democratic Party's reform and renewal, but since not everyone thinks the same, I believe it is a process of gathering opinions."

On the controversial '86 Generation (those born in the 1960s and who entered university in the 1980s) retirement theory within the party, she drew a line, saying, "I never said that all of the 86 Generation should retire. Please do not use this as a provocative point." She explained, "I respect the 586 Generation (those in their 50s, born in the 1960s, and university entrants in the 1980s) for achieving democratic outcomes through the democratization movement, but not everyone is like that," and added, "We need to create change and a different Democratic Party, but there are some who find it difficult to keep pace with the times." She continued, "Regarding the tasks we must carry forward and the major issues of the 2030 generation, I think the 2030s should lead the National Assembly more proactively. It would be good if the 586 Generation could pave the way for that."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, who caused controversy over sexually harassing remarks, she said, "I will speak after discussing with Emergency Committee Chairperson Yoon Ho-jung today," but added, "As the party's Emergency Committee Chairperson, I think that if necessary, the emergency disciplinary authority given should be utilized for inappropriate remarks. It is inappropriate to postpone issues that need to be resolved quickly until after the local elections." However, she refrained from commenting on the possibility of forced expulsion, saying, "I cannot answer that."