Park Ji-won on Yoon Jae-gap's Statement: "A 'Soyibudap'... Don't Drag the Drinking Party Into This"

Yoon Jae-gap, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a statement demanding an apology from former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won for "abuse of power and verbal abuse," while Park Ji-won remained reserved, saying he would "laugh it off."

On the 23rd, Park Ji-won stated on his social media service (SNS), "I have received many calls from reporters following Yoon's statement, so I am sharing my views," expressing his position.

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, is attending the full meeting of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Yoon, the incumbent lawmaker representing Haenam, Jindo, and Wando, where Park Ji-won is expected to run, claimed in his statement that Park had engaged in verbal abuse, threats, and abuse of power against the local residents.

In response, Park Ji-won said, "I am preparing for the election peacefully in Haenam, Wando, and Jindo while abiding by the law," adding, "Regarding the statement, I will laugh it off (笑而不答, meaning to smile but not respond)."

He also said, "Do not drag me into a drinking party," and "Regardless of the reasons, I feel sorry to the residents and hope for self-restraint so that the issue does not escalate further." This appears to be aimed at allegations that Yoon recently held a drinking party with a monk from a famous temple in Haenam.