Park Ju-min "No Intention for Seoul Mayor... Putting Everything on the Party Convention"

"The party fails to meet the public's expectations... Fierce deliberation needed over stable party management"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that he has no intention of running for Seoul mayor. Regarding his reason for running in the party leader election, he said, "(The next party leader) needs to think intensely and be close to the people rather than just managing the party stably."

On the morning of the 27th, Park appeared on KBS radio and was asked, "Some people say you are raising your value to run for Seoul mayor." He replied, "I am grateful to those who have considered me a candidate for Seoul mayor and hold me in high regard, but I have no intention of running for Seoul mayor. Not at this time." He added, "You can see that I have put everything into the party convention."

Regarding his reason for running in the party leader election, he said, "Recently, there has been criticism that some policy areas are not meeting the people's expectations," and added, "The two candidates who ran before talked a lot about stable party management. But I wonder if such stability fits in this era of crisis and transition. I believe it is more necessary to think intensely and be close to the people."

When asked how he plans to overcome the political weight difference with the two candidates, he said, "I believe I have an advantage in online communication compared to the other two, so I plan to approach it that way," and added, "I am thinking of delivering messages in a more fresh and lively manner."

Regarding his changed stance on fielding candidates in next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, he said, "Many may criticize me for flipping like a hand, but I accept that. However, I believe the meaning of the by-elections changes when including Seoul mayor as well as Busan mayor."

He continued, "The political situation has changed a lot, so different considerations are necessary," and said, "Rather than saying it will definitely happen or not right now, I think the next leadership should be formed and then decide after consulting party members and the public."

On the delayed launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO), he said, "I think more persuasion is needed first. If it doesn't work, we should consider legal amendments as a last resort." Regarding the administrative capital relocation issue, he said, "I wonder if a constitutional amendment is really necessary," and added, "The Constitutional Court makes different decisions when social awareness and the times change." He also mentioned, "We could consider abolishing Seoul National University."

On the possibility of merging with the Open Democratic Party, he said, "I think a chemical union between party members of the two parties is possible," and added, "Of course, the process of asking party members' opinions is necessary." When asked about the need for an anti-discrimination law, he said, "I think it is difficult to delay any longer." Regarding judicial impeachment, he said, "I think it needs to be carried out."

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