Internal Conflict Again After 5 and a Half Hours of Apology
"Will Keep Trying Until Renewal Proposal Is Received"
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, said on the 27th, "Today, I requested and negotiated with Yoon Ho-jung, co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee, to announce a joint campaign statement together, but it was ultimately rejected." This comes just five and a half hours after posting an apology to Yoon and the Democratic Party candidates running in the June 1 local elections, showing signs of internal conflict resurfacing.
On the same day, Park stated on Facebook in the afternoon, "I requested to announce a joint campaign statement with Yoon at the scheduled concentrated campaign rally in Incheon today," adding, "I negotiated with Yoon, but it was ultimately refused." She also explained the reason for not attending the afternoon Incheon rally, saying, "I was inevitably unable to attend the concentrated campaign rally in Incheon and turned the car around."
Park said, "I thought it would be insincere to the public to stage things as if there were no problems on the surface when no agreement was reached," and added, "The joint campaign statement I proposed included efforts toward five major reform tasks: 'a younger Democratic Party, a stricter Democratic Party, a Democratic Party that keeps promises, a Democratic Party that breaks away from violent fandom, and a Democratic Party preparing for the future.'"
Earlier, around 2 p.m., Park posted on Facebook, "I apologize for holding a press conference without sufficient consultation with all party leadership," and said, "I also accept the criticism that efforts to build a broader consensus were insufficient." This was a public apology three days after an emergency press conference on the 24th emphasizing the party's reflection and reform amid internal party conflicts.
At that time, Park appealed, "I hope we prepare reform measures so that our (Democratic) Party can regain the love of the people," urging the party to become a "younger Democratic Party," a "stricter Democratic Party," and a "Democratic Party that keeps promises."
Although Park's apology seemed to settle the leadership conflict, less than half a day later, Yoon appeared not to accept Park's reform demands, causing the discord to resurface.
Park emphasized, "I will continue to make efforts until my reform proposal is accepted," and added, "Separately, I will go where I am needed and continue support campaigns for the party's election victory. I will fulfill my role to the end for the election victory and the party's reform."
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