"My Vote Share of 92.35% Is a Misfortune for Our Politics"… Park Ji-won Unable to Smile Despite Highest Vote Share

Pointing out situations where blind support arises in each camp
Claims on SNS that President Yoon has entered a lame-duck period

Park Ji-won, the elected representative of the Democratic Party of Korea for Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in Jeonnam, described his achievement of recording the highest nationwide vote share of over 90% in the April 10 general election as "the misfortune of our politics." He also expressed hope that President Yoon Seok-yeol would emphasize "politics of unity" during his second anniversary press conference.

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won is attending a continuation hearing related to the 'West Sea Public Official Killing Incident' held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on April 26.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 7th, appearing on the YouTube channel 'Podbang Maebul Show,' Park questioned, "Does our South Korean politics have to be politics of division?" He added, "I am grateful to the residents of Haenam, Wando, and Jindo for my highest vote share of 92.35%, but this is also a misfortune of our politics." He continued, "Even if I make mistakes and receive comments, when I visited Haenam, Wando, and Jindo yesterday, many said 'It feels refreshing' or 'Director, you did well.'"

Furthermore, Park expressed that regarding the current situation where blind support arises in each camp, "It would be good if a message emphasizing 'politics of unity' comes out at President Yoon Seok-yeol's second anniversary press conference scheduled for the 9th."

Earlier, on the 1st, Park appeared on the YouTube program 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and caused controversy by cursing Speaker Kim Jin-pyo with the word "gaeXX" and saying, "Yoon Seok-yeol (the president) and all are the same guys." Afterwards, he said, "I thought the broadcast was not on. I will retract the curse," and apologized, "I'm sorry. I wish it had seemed like the microphone was off." As the controversy intensified, Park apologized on his Facebook, stating, "I retracted and apologized during the broadcast and requested the broadcaster to edit immediately after the broadcast, but regardless of the reason, I sincerely apologize to the parties involved, viewers, and the public for the inappropriate language and behavior."

Park Ji-won: "President Yoon's Lame Duck Phase Begins... The Prosecution Also Started Ringing the Bell"

Meanwhile, Park Ji-won mentioned President Yoon Seok-yeol's lame duck phase in relation to Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok ordering an investigation into allegations of Kim Geon-hee's receipt of luxury handbags, saying the prosecution has also started ringing the bell. On the 6th, Park wrote on his Facebook, "President Yoon's lame duck phase has already arrived and has now officially begun," adding, "No matter how strong the power is, when public sentiment leaves, the bell rings. The prosecution has also started ringing the bell. It has become the prosecution that rings the bell."

He stated, "In the early days of the administration, the prosecution uncovers the previous administration's corruption and shows loyalty to the current president. Since they have investigated thoroughly over the past two years, there is nothing left to handle regarding the previous government," and claimed, "The news from Seocho-dong about handling the Kim Geon-hee card has been around for a long time, and reports of friction between the president and the prosecutor general have been widespread." He added, "With the start of the Dior bag investigation, there will be indigestion, tears, and depression. It is the history of power, so it cannot be avoided."

Regarding some opposition figures criticizing the investigation into Kim Geon-hee's luxury handbag allegations as a "special prosecutor distraction," Park dismissed such concerns as "unnecessary." He said, "The prosecution's sword cannot cover up facts known to all the people, though it can minimize them," and argued, "The opposition party can toy with the cards of a parliamentary audit or special prosecutor as a form of encouragement and oversight for thorough prosecution investigation. If a parliamentary audit or special prosecutor starts, they can receive the prosecution's investigation details."

Earlier, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok reportedly instructed Seoul Central District Prosecutor Song Kyung-ho, after receiving his regular weekly report on the 2nd, to form a dedicated investigation team to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the allegations of Kim Geon-hee's receipt of luxury handbags. In response, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office added three prosecutors, including those from the special investigation division, to the Criminal Division 1, and began coordinating investigation schedules with complainants, marking the start of a full-scale investigation.