'Peanut Rebellion' Park Chang-jin Becomes Democratic Party Deputy Spokesperson

Past Membership in Justice Party... "Will Participate Diligently"

Park Chang-jin, former chief flight attendant of Korean Air who entered politics as a victim of the so-called 'nut rage' incident, has been appointed as a deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea. He previously joined the Justice Party, served as its vice president, and later left the party.

Park Chang-jin, Deputy Spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo captured from Park Chang-jin's Instagram.

On the 17th, Park posted on his social media, "I will be working as a deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea." He added, "I received the final results after written and practical tests today. I ask for more guidance. I will serve humbly with a dedication to the party."

He also shared a commemorative photo with the caption, "Today, together with six deputy spokespersons and Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae, and lawmakers Han Min-soo, Park Sang-hyuk, and Kang Yoo-jung," expressing his determination, "I will diligently work with an attitude of listening to the voices of the people."

Formerly a Korean Air cabin chief flight attendant, he became the center of controversy due to the 'nut rage' incident that occurred in early December 2014. The incident involved Cho Hyun-ah, former vice president of Korean Air, who caused a disturbance by ordering the aircraft bound for Incheon to return to the boarding gate at New York JFK Airport after taking issue with the macadamia nut service provided by a flight attendant, reprimanding Park, and forcing him to leave the plane.

After exposing the incident, Park continued legal battles against Korean Air and joined the Justice Party in 2017. He later served as vice president and established himself as a politician. He entered politics aiming to resolve structural issues for workers but announced his departure from the Justice Party in September 2022.

At that time, he criticized on his social media, "The Justice Party has become a party that insists only it is right," and added, "I see the party politicians labeling the voices of many party members calling for a party that meets citizens' common sense as antifeminist and a secondary force of the Democratic Party, which is no different from the hegemonic propaganda and agitation of established parties."