Jihyun Park "Lee Jae-myung Should Not Run... Concerned About Another Disappearance of People's Livelihood" (Comprehensive)

Public Appearance at 'Youth Politics' Event After One Month
"Considering Candidacy, Will Announce Within a Week"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, expressed her agreement with the 'Lee Jae-myung non-candidacy theory' raised within the party, stating, "I also think he should not run."

Former Chairperson Park made these remarks on the 1st after attending the 'Greenbelt Results Sharing Party' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, speaking with reporters.

She explained, "There is a concern that if Representative Lee Jae-myung runs in this election, livelihood issues might once again be neglected," adding, "We are likely to be busy defending against retaliation from the other side (People Power Party), so just as our party members are worried about Lee running for party leader, I share the same concerns." She also said she had not discussed the candidacy with Representative Lee separately.

Regarding her own potential candidacy for party leader, she said, "I am still considering it," and added, "Young people around me want me to run, but some party members may not think so, so I am contemplating various aspects," leaving the possibility open.

She continued, "Above all, I am concerned about whether I can pass the cut-off and have a meaningful contest with Representative Lee in the primary, so I am carefully considering various opinions," and said, "I think I will make a decision within a week."

When asked if she was also considering running for the Supreme Council member election, she replied, "I am including that in my considerations."

In response to criticism that she bears some responsibility for the local election defeat, she acknowledged, "Yes," but added, "However, as you know from the poll results, it seems there are more reasons other than the leadership, including myself. Although I was part of the leadership, if I had more authority, I would feel the need to take more responsibility, but there are questions about whether such authority was granted."

Regarding the '97 Group' lawmakers within the party who have consecutively declared their candidacy for party leader, she praised them, saying, "I think it is very courageous and I respect them for running while support for Representative Lee is high."

'Greenbelt' is an organization formed by young candidates from the Democratic Party who ran in the June 1 local elections. The event was attended by young politicians who ran in the local elections, as well as Representatives Jeong Cheong-rae, Choi Hye-young, and Lee Tan-hee. On this day, former Chairperson Park appeared at an official party event for the first time in a month after the dissolution of the Emergency Committee.

Before the event started, former Chairperson Park said, "I was invited to the Greenbelt meeting today," and added, "Since this event is for those involved in youth politics and those who ran in the local elections, I hope you focus more on the meeting than on me."

When asked about her recent activities, she replied, "I rested well," and said, "I went home, read books, and traveled."