Park Yong-jin Mentioned 'Urgency' Every 8 Minutes, "Not Much Time Left... Kang Hoon-sik Must Decide on Unification"

On the 11th, held a meeting and emphasized unification repeatedly while sympathizing with Candidate Kang's 'Useful Politics'
In about 50 minutes, mentioned 'No time left' 10 times and 'Desperate' 6 times
"Time to move together with the Democratic Party's new flow, vision, and values... Need a catalyst to achieve a turnaround at the party convention"
"Willing to achieve unification by any means"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "Candidate Kang Hoon-sik had no intention of pressuring for unification at all. But now, there really isn't much time left. The unification is one of the few remaining catalysts for the August 28 party convention to be a starting point toward a new vision for the Democratic Party. I earnestly and sincerely ask once again for (unification)."

Park Yong-jin, candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea party leader, holds a press briefing at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 11th, Park Yong-jin, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for party leader, held a press briefing at the National Assembly in the morning regarding the August 28 party convention, saying, "Looking at the low voter turnout, one-sided results, and voting outcomes, I believe a turning point and catalyst for reversal are needed. Park Yong-jin alone cannot do it, and Kang Hoon-sik alone also finds it difficult. If it is a method that confirms public and party sentiment, I am willing to achieve unification in whatever way candidate Kang proposes," he said.

During the briefing, which lasted about 50 minutes from 9 a.m., Park mentioned the word "earnest" six times. That is about once every eight minutes, passionately appealing for candidate unification.

As the four-week party convention regional primaries reach the halfway point this weekend, this unification proposal ahead of the remaining regional primaries could be seen as pressure toward candidate Kang.

However, Park responded to this perception by saying, "I do not set a deadline for (unification answers) because it might be seen as unnecessary pressure," and emphasized, "It is an earnest appeal rather than pressure. I will arrange an opportunity to talk once more about this with candidate Kang over the weekend."

Park Yong-jin, a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader, holds a press conference at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Park holds the position that 'Kang-Park unification' is necessary to show that the Democratic Party is changing and to create an opportunity to reverse the current overwhelming lead of candidate Lee Jae-myung. However, with only about two weeks left until the party convention on the 28th, he expressed frustration over the lack of progress in unification.

On this day, Park repeated the phrase "there isn't much time left" ten times, emphasizing that unification can no longer be delayed.

Park said, "From tomorrow, public opinion polls will begin, and if this week passes, we will have passed the halfway point in the schedule," adding, "I think there really isn't much time left now." He continued, "Candidate Kang and I have the duty to create a new flow for the Democratic Party starting from this party convention," and added, "It is time for the two of us to move together centered on vision and values."

Regarding candidate Kang's statement that "unification must be done to share and realize vision and values, which brings impact and inspiration," Park said, "I think our visions and ideas are finding common ground through several broadcast debates and joint speeches," and added, "The social solidarity party proposed by Park Yong-jin and Kang Hoon-sik's 'useful party' are not very different. Candidate Kang and I share the same vision and values."

He expressed concern that "due to the very low voter turnout, some may give up voting in despair, thinking 'Eodaemyeong' (meaning 'Anyway, the leader will be Lee Jae-myung')," and appealed to party members, saying, "If you give up voting, it will result in failing to show another change in the Democratic Party. Please make sure to participate in the vote."