Park Ji-hyun Starts Political Engine... Will She Appear at the Opposition Party Convention as an 'Innovation Icon'?

Park Ji-hyun Posting SNS Messages Daily
Possible Candidacy Amid Pressure from Lee Jae-myung to Withdraw

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Ahead of the party convention in August, former Democratic Party Emergency Committee Chair Park Ji-hyun has started her political activities.

Since writing a post on Facebook on the 20th regarding the disciplinary discussion of Representative Choi Kang-wook by the Ethics Tribunal, former Chair Park has been delivering political messages daily.

On the 22nd, she pointed out, "I am ashamed of the violent fandom that intends to file a criminal complaint against me for my efforts toward the Democratic Party's reflection and innovation," adding, "Every time I reflect, they point fingers at me, and every time I push for reform, they intimidate me." On the 24th, she proposed four directions, including stopping text bomb attacks, saying, "We must break away from violent fandom and revive democracy within the party."

On the 26th, she criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's push to freeze the minimum wage and relax the 52-hour workweek system, stating, "It seems they have no regard for the health and rest of workers devastated by overtime." On the 28th, she advocated for raising the minimum wage.

A close aide to former Chair Park said, "She seems to have started this course of action after taking a short break to organize her thoughts," and added, "If given the opportunity, she strongly desires to play some role within the party in the future."

Furthermore, the aide explained, "She continues to receive contacts from the political circle," and "If public opinion or a movement to nominate her within the party forms, she seems willing to work."

Meanwhile, as the candidate pool narrows ahead of the August party convention, the timing of Representative Lee Jae-myung's entry is also approaching. However, with pro-Moon Jae-in figures such as former Representative Jeon Hae-cheol and Representative Hong Young-pyo announcing their non-candidacy, there appears to be pressure on Lee to withdraw.

In this context, the possibility of former Chair Park running is also attracting attention. In political circles, it is anticipated that she may challenge the party leadership election with the title of "innovation," or possibly join the candidate pool for the Supreme Council member alongside Representative Lee.