Sotonggwan→Bunsudae→Main Gate, Park Ji-hyun Holds 'Scorching Sun Press Conference' with No Allies in the Party

Official Declaration of Party Leader Candidacy on the 15th
Venue Moved from Communication Hall to Fountain Square to Main Gate
Exposed Limitations of Weak In-House Support Base Without Allies
"Problem of Political Culture That Rejects New Figures"
"Will Cut Out Rotten Parts and Surely Cross the River of Joguk"

Former Emergency Committee Chairperson Park Ji-hyun is making a declaration to run for party leader outdoors in front of the main gate of the National Assembly. (Photo by Park Joon-yi)

[Asia Economy reporters Koo Chae-eun and Park Joon-yi] Former Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, officially announced her candidacy for party leader at a press conference on the 15th, despite the party's judgment that she does not qualify to run. Although she lacks the status of a party member with voting rights and her registration as a candidate for the August 28 party convention is likely to be rejected, she expressed her intention to proceed with her candidacy regardless.

No incumbent lawmaker willing to lend the Communication Hall... Limits of weak support base within the party revealed

Park’s lack of allies within the party who support her was also revealed through the venue of the press conference. The location for Park’s candidacy announcement was changed twice and was eventually held outdoors under the scorching sun in front of the National Assembly main gate around 9:30 a.m.

The National Assembly Communication Hall, initially expected to be the venue, can only be reserved by incumbent lawmakers, and since the lending lawmaker must also attend, many lawmakers declined Park’s request.

Park’s team then announced the outdoor fountain area inside the National Assembly as the venue, but this was canceled after being informed that “no press conference is allowed anywhere on the National Assembly grounds without a lawmaker accompanying.” Ultimately, Park’s candidacy announcement took place on the pavement in front of Exit 6 of the National Assembly Station, right outside the main gate. This exposed the weak ‘in-house support base’ and ‘lack of factional power’ within the party through the party leader candidacy press conference.

Park told reporters, “Some lawmakers initially agreed to lend the Communication Hall but felt burdened by having to stand together, some could not due to scheduling conflicts, and some lawmakers support me in their hearts,” adding, “I apologize for bringing you to a hot place on a hot day.”

Park Ji-hyun: "We must excise the rotten parts of the Democratic Party"

At the candidacy announcement, Park said, “I decided to run for party leader to transform the Democratic Party into an open party that better listens to diverse voices, a competent party that better takes care of people’s livelihoods, and one that can better resolve the impending crises.” She emphasized, “I, Park Ji-hyun, will excise the rotten parts and patch the holes of the Democratic Party. I will definitely cross the river of Jo-guk.”

She stated, “The Democratic Party has not crossed the river of hypocrisy and double standards, and is not prepared to part ways with the hardline fandom that has ruined the party. It must change. If the Democratic Party does not change, the people will suffer.” She also said, “Overemphasizing experience alone becomes vested interest and creates a political culture that excludes new figures.”

Park particularly pointed out, “The downfall of the Democratic Party is due to sexual crimes. We will establish a system that handles sexual crimes with a zero-tolerance principle so that the Democratic Party can never again harbor sexual violence.” She added, “We still have not crossed the river of Jo-guk because we have become vested interests,” and “Without crossing the river of Jo-guk, there can be no true reflection or reform. I will definitely cross the river of Jo-guk.”

Woo Sang-ho, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Woo Sang-ho, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is deep in thought with a serious expression during his speech at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

High possibility of candidate registration rejection, but likely to proceed with candidacy

Despite the official candidacy announcement, it is uncertain whether Park’s candidacy will be accepted. Since she lacks the status of a party member with voting rights, her registration as a candidate for the August 28 party convention may be rejected. Previously, the party leadership decided not to allow any exceptions after discussing Park’s eligibility to run in the convention. In response, Park said, “I believe the grounds for rejection are insufficient and it will be accepted.”

According to the Democratic Party’s constitution and regulations, to hold a party position or be eligible for public office candidacy, one must be a party member with voting rights who joined at least six months prior to the first day of this month. However, Park does not meet this condition. She joined the Democratic Party in January, ahead of the presidential election, by joining the campaign team of then-presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, and officially became a member around mid-February, about a month later. Park said there should be a discussion at the party affairs committee level, but the emergency committee did not accept this.