Appearing 3 to 6 Times a Day, Balancing Local Constituency Activities
1,667 Broadcast Appearances Over Three Years, 58 Weekly Visits After Election
"Nicknamed 'Microphone President' and 'Cabbage President' After Being Elected to the National Assembly"
Park Jiwon, co-chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Central Election Countermeasures Committee, appealed for overwhelming support for candidate Lee Jaemyung at a campaign rally in the Jeonnam region on May 15, stating, "Gwangju and Jeonnam can only develop and secure the necessary support budgets if Lee Jaemyung is elected."
Despite inclement weather, Park traveled throughout Gwangju and Jeonnam on that day, carrying out his campaign schedule. He declared, "I will keep running tirelessly today and tomorrow," adding, "I will create a true Republic of Korea together with Lee Jaemyung."
Park Jiwon, co-chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Central Election Countermeasures Committee, toured campaign sites in the Jeonnam region, urging overwhelming support for candidate Lee Jaemyung. Photo by Lee Jungkyung
Since the official campaign period began on May 12, Park has visited campaign sites every single day without exception. According to his aides, Park has been demonstrating superhuman stamina and focus, balancing three to six broadcast appearances and local constituency activities each day. Even after being elected as a member of the National Assembly, he has never missed his weekly five to seven local activities.
This all-out activity is also rooted in Park's own political hardships. Park recalled that on May 11, 2022, he was abruptly notified of his dismissal from the post of Director of the National Intelligence Service.
He claimed, "For the protection of state secrets, vehicles and security personnel are provided for a certain period after retirement, but after I was accused in connection with the murder of a public official in the West Sea, all support was withdrawn."
He then shared that he purchased a used Kia Carnival vehicle worth about 30 million won in the secondhand car market and began driving himself, confessing, "Every time I got into the car, I endured my time of patience and resolve, feeling as if I was stepping on the head of former President Yoon Sukyeol."
Park emphasized, "At that time, my main adversary was Yoon Sukyeol. I campaigned with the determination to be elected to the National Assembly and achieve a change of government." He added, "I risked my life holding the microphone for 'sending Yoon Sukyeol away' and 'promoting Lee Jaemyung.' If, by any chance, Lee Jaemyung had not run for office, I might have run myself."
Park also criticized former President Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Keonhee, saying, "Yoon Keonhee's imprisonment is a foregone conclusion," and, "Bad people are destined to fail." In conclusion, he reiterated, "Now is the time for Lee Jaemyung. Today and tomorrow, I will create a true Republic of Korea together with Lee Jaemyung."
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