Park Ji-won: "Hwang Kyo-ahn Must Give Up Presidential Bid for Conservative Unity to Be Possible"

"Progressive Forces Expected to Win Significantly in General Election... Ahn Cheol-soo, Who Had Disguised Employment, Is Inappropriate as a 'Figurehead'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Park Ji-won, a member of the Alternative New Party (tentative name), analyzed that conservative unification would only be possible if Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, declares that he will give up running for president. Regarding former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo's announcement of his return to politics, Park reaffirmed his position that Ahn is unsuitable as a banner for progressive forces, citing his history of "disguised employment."

On the morning of the 8th, Park appeared on MBC Radio and said, "I believe that the conservative unification (pursued by Leader Hwang) is impossible."

He stated, "With the conservative forces divided into factions, (conservative unification) would only be possible if Leader Hwang makes a declaration in the style of Lee Hae-chan, saying 'I will not be a member of the National Assembly, party leader, or presidential candidate; we should all give up vested interests.' He must declare that he will give up running for president."

He continued, "If he gives up running for president, why would Leader Hwang continue in politics?" and added, "Unification of forces without such self-sacrifice is extremely difficult."

When asked whether he thought it was possible for Leader Hwang to achieve his goal of 150 seats or becoming the largest party in the National Assembly as he mentioned in a party meeting, Park answered, "Impossible."

Instead, he predicted, "If the current '4+1 Consultative Body' continues its momentum, a progressive government will be reestablished," and "the progressive forces will achieve significant success in the general election."

When asked about the "banner" for the progressive coalition, he replied, "It is not former leader Ahn." He pointed out, "Ahn was originally conservative but disguised himself as progressive to become president and is now returning to conservatism."

When asked if there was a figure he was considering as the banner, Park said, "Both Jeong Dong-young and Sohn Hak-kyu have stepped down, and we will recruit a good third figure," adding, "In difficult times, we are also considering bringing out younger forces within the party."

He continued, "I have contacted many people," and added, "Notably, there is former Democratic Party Emergency Committee Chair Kim Jong-in." He also said, "It is true that I met Chairman Hong Seok-hyun and contacted former Seoul National University President Sung Nak-in," but regarding whether anyone gave a positive response, he said, "(That is) a trade secret."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.