"Be Careful With My Words"...Park Jiwon, Who Appeared on Broadcasts 1,700 Times in 3 Years, Announces He Will Refrain From Appearing

Posts on SNS: "Will Refrain from Broadcast Appearances After Next Week"

Park Jiwon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that he would "refrain from appearing on broadcasts." This is interpreted as being conscious of the controversy over his "verbal gaffes" that arose during the last presidential election period, following his frequent broadcast appearances and activity on social networking services (SNS).

On June 8, Park stated on his Facebook page, "I will be careful with my words," making this announcement.

Park Jiwon, Joint Central Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expressing support for candidate Lee Jae-myung at the launch ceremony of the Gwangju City Election Countermeasures Committee held at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

That afternoon, Park wrote on Facebook, "For the first time since the presidential election victory, I attended a thanksgiving service at Sidung Church in Hwangsan, Haenam," and added, "I was blessed by the sermon of Senior Pastor Moon Moogeun. The pastor said, 'Be careful with your words.'"

Park commented, "It felt like a message tailored to me," and continued, "After being dismissed from the position of Director of the National Intelligence Service, I appeared on broadcasts about 1,700 times over three years, using my words harshly to send out Yoon Suk-yeol, promote Lee Jae-myung, and push for a change in government." He added, "As the pastor advised, I will continue to appear on broadcasts until next week, but after that, I have decided to be more careful."

Previously, on May 19, Park appeared on a radio program and said, "Wouldn't it be Lee Jae-myung 60%, Kim Moonsoo 30%, Lee Junseok 10%?" This remark sparked controversy within the party. By mentioning even the expected vote percentages in the presidential election, Park's comments appeared to take a landslide victory for granted, which caused concern within the Democratic Party. There were criticisms that such remarks could give voters the impression of arrogance ahead of the presidential election and dampen voter sentiment.

Subsequently, the Democratic Party of Korea's election committee immediately issued a "warning against arrogance." Park Chan-dae, then Chief Executive of the election committee, warned campaign members the following day, "If anyone mentions 'expected vote percentages' or a 'landslide victory' in speeches, interviews, or broadcasts, they will be held accountable," adding, "Arrogance only leads to a backlash."

Meanwhile, on June 5, Park welcomed President Lee Jae-myung's decision to withdraw the nominations of Lee Wankyu and Ham Sanghoon, candidates for Constitutional Court Justice who had been nominated by former Acting President Han Duck-soo as the president's appointees, saying, "It feels like a weight has been lifted from my chest."