Park Ji-won "Honorary member of the Party for National Innovation, sincerely apologizes"... Democratic Party settles with stern warning

Park Ji-won Clarifies Controversy via SNS
"Meant as a Compliment but Apologize for Inappropriateness"
Democratic Party Issues Stern Warning Considering Apology

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won, who made the remark about ‘Honorary Jo Guk Innovation Party Member,’ apologized on the 20th. It has been confirmed that the Democratic Party of Korea issued a verbal warning to Park.

On the 20th, Park Ji-won stated through social media (SNS), "Although the remark about being an honorary member of the Jo Guk Innovation Party was made as a compliment, I sincerely apologize for its inappropriateness," adding, "I am a Democrat to the core, and I take pride in having led the charge over the past two years to unite under Representative Lee Jae-myung to judge the Yoon Seok-yeol Kim Geon-hee prosecution regime."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "The Democratic Party must secure a majority of seats," and said, "It was a heartfelt wish to secure 200 seats by uniting all anti-Yoon Seok-yeol forces to make the exercise of veto power impossible. I also add that promoting candidate Seo Mi-hwa, who is number one on the proportional representation list with a story, will help gain votes in support of the Democratic United Party’s victory."

Earlier, Park appeared on a YouTube broadcast with Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, where he made the honorary member remark. When Jo said, "Since our political perceptions are the same, we should later welcome you as an honorary member," Park responded, "Dual party membership is not allowed, so honorary member is good." After the remark became known, Jung Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, opposed it, saying, "Do you do this knowing the burning heart of Representative Lee Jae-myung that there should be more allies than friends?"

Park Ji-won is also a Democratic Party candidate for Haenam-gun, Wando-gun, and Jindo-gun in Jeollanam-do.

Regarding the remark, it has been confirmed that the Democratic Party issued a stern warning to Park.

Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a meeting with reporters, "The Democratic Party has decided to conclude this matter by issuing a stern warning, along with his apology and promise to prevent recurrence."