Why Park Yong-jin Still Holds on to the Unification Rope Even in the 'Expanded Name'

Held a press briefing on the 11th to appeal the urgency of unification
"If it is a way to confirm public and party sentiment, we will accept any proposal from Kang Hoon-sik"

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

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok, Oh Ju-yeon, Park Joon-yi] Park Yong-jin, a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea’s party leader, who is busy with regional schedules over the next 3 nights and 4 days, held a press briefing on the 11th to appeal for unification with candidate Kang Hoon-sik. Perhaps because the overwhelming dominance of candidate Lee Jae-myung was confirmed in the two regional primary elections already held, Park’s desperate appeal for unification as a card to overturn the situation continued throughout the briefing.

At the briefing, Park said, "There really isn’t much time left now," and added, "If it is a method that confirms the will of the people and the party members, I am willing to unify in the way candidate Kang proposed."

Currently, the Democratic Party has completed the rights party member tour voting in Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Daegu (on the 6th), and Jeju and Incheon (on the 7th). Following this, the results of rights party member voting in Ulsan, Gyeongnam, and Busan will be announced on the 13th, and in Sejong, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Daejeon on the 14th. Additionally, a national public opinion poll will be conducted on the 12th and 13th. According to the election results released so far, candidate Lee received 74.1% in Gangwon, 73.4% in Daegu, 77.7% in Gyeongbuk, 75.4% in Incheon, and 70.5% in Jeju. These results far surpass those of candidate Park, who scored in the high teens to low twenties percentage-wise, and candidate Kang, who failed to exceed the 10% threshold.

Inside and outside the party, phrases like Eodaemyeong (meaning “Anyway, the party leader will be Lee Jae-myung”) and Hwadaemyeong (“Certainly, the party leader will be Lee Jae-myung”) are openly circulating. Regarding this, Park said, "Looking at the low voter turnout, one-sided results, and the voting outcomes of this somewhat frustrating party convention, some kind of turning point and catalyst is needed," adding, "Park Yong-jin alone cannot do it, and Kang Hoon-sik alone cannot do it either."

Park initially proposed unification even before the cutoff stage. This reflected the necessity of creating a one-on-one contest rather than a three-way race to compete against candidate Lee, who was considered likely to win from the start of voting. The justification for unification also moved closer to candidate Kang’s argument. Kang has pointed out that unification can be pursued based on common denominators such as values and vision. On this, Park emphasized, "I believe it has been confirmed that the party’s vision does not differ in terms of values, social solidarity party, and useful politics."

In particular, he stressed that since regional tour primaries are taking place, the later the unification timing, the more wasted votes will increase, urging prompt unification. Park said, "I say there isn’t much time left to avoid wasted votes," and added, "If time is delayed, I believe we can overcome negative forecasts such as wasted vote controversies and doubts about whether unification would have any effect."

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@

However, candidate Kang remains negative about Park’s proposal. He said, "What justification, impact, or emotion would there be in unification discussions at this point?" adding, "Kang Hoon-sik, as a person who should launch the plane of the Democratic Party’s vision and future from the runway, feels like installing a speed bump called unification on the runway." Kang said, "I want to ask what ripple effect there would be if candidates who received 20% (Park) and 5% (Kang) combine to make 25% without any mechanism," and added, "The Chungcheong and Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Buul-gyeong) votes are this week, and through this process, I think it is appropriate to highlight that I am a new option, increase voter turnout itself, and talk about changes in the situation or structure, that there is a new option called Kang Hoon-sik, and that people should vote too."