Park Yong-jin "Eodaemyeong? It's still too early to give up"

Political Double Play Trying to Portray Self-Nomination as Seondang-Husa
Opposition to Amendment of Party Charter Article 80

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Yong-jin, a candidate challenging the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader election, said on the 16th regarding the election, "It is still too early to give up." He criticized candidate Lee Jae-myung, who has gained an advantageous position in the election, for what he called a "political double play" regarding the nomination for the Gyeyang-eul by-election during the last general and by-elections.

On the same day, Park appeared on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" and said, "Although the party convention schedule is past the midpoint, only about 300,000 of the 1.18 million eligible party members have voted so far," adding, "There are still 870,000 votes, which is over 73%, waiting, and about 16,000 delegates, who account for 30% of the total, will vote on the very last day."

He said, "Because of the despairing resignation called 'Eodaemyeong' (a term referring to inevitable victory for Lee Jae-myung), some who think criticism or checks are necessary seem to be passive in participating in the vote," and added, "Now that there is a one-on-one debate, candidate Lee has no place to avoid or hide, and since the debate is one-on-one with me and the structure has become clear, I believe I can move differently."

Regarding candidate Lee Jae-myung, he said, "Even after losing two nationwide elections, candidate Lee says he will take responsibility by running in another election. His leadership is shaky and different in texture from mine," and added, "Above all, the political double play of trying to make self-nomination look like putting the party before oneself was a rare event in our political history. I worry whether such a method can properly overcome the Democratic Party's crises or difficulties ahead."

On the controversy over the amendment to Article 80 of the party constitution, which suspends party duties upon prosecution by the prosecution, Park reaffirmed his opposition. He said, "The party constitution states that suspension is possible, not mandatory, upon prosecution, and there is a clear interpretation that it can be different in cases of political oppression," adding, "When Article 80 was enacted, it was created by Representative Moon Jae-in, and Innovation Committee Chairs Cho Kuk and Kim Sang-gon paved the way for opposition party oppression. Isn't this a problematic and wrong approach?"

He continued, "Forcing unnecessary controversy to pass this amendment is the most dangerous thing that can become a trigger for the party," and said, "The public is watching and remembers the past situations when the party constitution and regulations were amended for the Busan and Seoul mayoral by-elections," adding, "This is likely to be a significant criterion for the final judgment on the Democratic Party. This is not the way to do it."