[Interview] Park Juhyun, Co-Leader of Minsaengdang: "What's Wrong with Honam Party... We're Different from Jaminryeon"

Supporters of Reform in Beomho South Choose
Alliance with Youth and Sonyeon Gongin Groups
Targeting 10 Honam Seats and 10 Proportional Representation Seats
"Postponing the 4·15 General Election Is the Right Move"

Park Juhyun, Co-representative of the Minsaengdang Party. / Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] "I think, 'What’s wrong with Honam Party?' We are moving in the direction of reform, so we are different from the United Liberal Democrats (ULD). The ULD was a regionalist party and conservative."

Park Joo-hyun, co-leader of the Minsheng Party, responded to criticism that they are a regional party of Honam in an interview with Asia Economy held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the afternoon of the 27th of last month. He said, "The direction we are heading is not focused on Honam, but rather opposing discrimination, alienation, and exclusion," adding, "It is a coalition of groups such as Honam, youth, and small business owners who have not received fair treatment until now." He also added, "There is no place for pro-Honam reform supporters to cast their party vote," and "We need to provide options for that."

The Minsheng Party prioritizes the alliance with the youth future generation and small business owners. This is also a strategy to break away from the image of being a Honam party. The Minsheng Party has also secured seats for youth and small business owners as members of the Supreme Council. This week, 2,000 to 3,000 small business owners are expected to join the party.

Regarding measures for small business owners, Co-leader Park pointed out, "The idea of giving tax benefits as a form of ‘kind rent’ is a dangerous approach," and said, "It should be managed through overall regulation of real estate." He continued, "We must continue to create policies that practically help small business owners without undermining tax transparency," and stated, "While the minimum wage cannot be set regionally, it is possible to provide exceptions based on size or certain parts."

The Minsheng Party’s goal in the April 15 general election is to form a negotiation group. Co-leader Park said, "At least 10 seats must come from Honam, and 10 proportional representation seats as well," adding, "If we fail, the Moon Jae-in administration will also fail. We will lead issues like electoral reform and turn them into overall achievements of the reform camp." He criticized Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, saying, "He must take responsibility for unilaterally merging the conservatives and ultimately causing division," and "His political style is centered on one person. That era is passing."

The Minsheng Party is advocating for postponing the general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-leader Park emphasized, "It is right to postpone the election," and said, "There is no problem since the 20th National Assembly’s term ends on May 30."

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