[Interview] Park Ji-won "High Possibility of Democratic Party Securing Sole Majority"

"Failure to Secure Majority Will Strengthen Jojukdang Power"
"Whether President or Democratic Party, Will Speak Out If They Err"

"I just got off at Naju Station and left for Haenam by car."

Park Ji-won, the 81-year-old candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea for Haenam, Wando, and Jindo counties in Jeonnam, was still on the move at 10 p.m. These days, he travels between Haenam and Seoul three to four times a week to support other candidates. As a 'senior youth' and a celebrity in politics, I was curious about how Park views the general election. I interviewed him by phone on the night of the 2nd.

Isn't it hard at your age?

It is hard. But I have to make relentless efforts. If we fail to secure a majority of the seats, how will we survive the remaining three years of the Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee prosecution regime?

What is your secret to maintaining your health?

I eat well, sleep well, walk well, and speak up without holding back. I also exercise consistently. No matter what, I walk for two hours every day. People say I'm amazing, but I don't really know why. (Haha)

Candidate Park Ji-won is campaigning in Wando, Jeollanam-do. [Source=Candidate Park Ji-won's Facebook]

You seem to be campaigning a lot in various places.

In golf or elections, if you raise your head, you lose. You have to campaign with a lower posture, more humility, but fiercely. Political newcomers who run for the first time often hesitate and don't campaign well in front of voters. I take them along and teach them election techniques and boost their courage by saying, 'I am Park Ji-won,' 'I am Park Ji-won who appears on broadcasts.'

How do you see the current political landscape?

I think the judgment against the Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee prosecution regime is the spirit of the times. The biggest mistake of President Yoon Seok-yeol is that he thinks he is doing well as president. The problem is that while the people say he is not doing well, he thinks he is doing well. The 'green onion at 875 won' has brought the livelihood and inflation issue sharply to the forefront of the general election. Public sentiment is exploding.

What is your forecast for the general election results?

Elections are like going back and forth between heaven and hell in just a few days. The problem is that President Yoon Seok-yeol does not change. Everything starts with the president's change, but he never changes. If the National Assembly declares right after its opening in June that it will conduct special investigations into Kim Geon-hee, the Yangpyeong Expressway, and Deutsch Motors, the situation will change dramatically.

Is it possible for the Democratic Party to secure a majority on its own?

Securing a majority on its own would be a success. The possibility is high. If both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party fail to secure a majority, the power of the Joguk Innovation Party will become formidable. Therefore, the Democratic Party must exceed the majority. Since the president is unlikely to change, we will win. When April passes, Han Dong-hoon will leave, and when May comes, the Yoon Seok-yeol couple will cry.

If elected, you will be a five-term lawmaker. There are also talks about challenging for the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Right now, I am thinking about only two things: fighting against President Yoon Seok-yeol and winning the election. After the general election victory, I will dedicate myself to the country and the development of my hometowns Haenam, Wando, and Jindo, coloring the sunset. And I will speak in accordance with my status as an old boy. I will never do politics quietly. If the president or the Democratic Party makes mistakes, I will speak up as a senior. This is why I do politics.

There have been various controversies related to candidates Kim Jun-hyeok and Yang Moon-seok.

If you change the candidate a few days before the election, the People Power Party candidate automatically wins. Most are one-on-one districts. Let's put that aside as a personal issue and not talk about it now.

What do you think about the Joguk Innovation Party?

Representative Jo Guk says that his political mentor is Park Ji-won himself. I had advised him on broadcasts to run in his constituency. But I was surprised when he founded a new party. As defined by Representative Lee Jae-myung, they are allies moving together.

Is there a possibility of a merger between the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party after the general election?

Representative Jo Guk will form a parliamentary negotiation group with progressive alliance parties rather than merging. I have long argued that the requirements for forming negotiation groups should be lowered so that small parties can participate in state affairs and prevent wasted votes.