Park Yong-jin: "Achievements of Lee Seung-man and Park Chung-hee Should Not Be Denied... Politicians Must Unite the People"

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin is entering the funeral hall at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee's wake is being held on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who sparked controversy for attending a conservative media event and making remarks related to former Presidents Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee, said, "Politicians must transcend left-right factional logic and unite the people," adding, "I stand by the principle of acknowledging merits and faults separately."

On the 15th, Park posted on his Facebook, "I recently attended the Chosun Ilbo's founding anniversary event," and said, "As politicians representing the people, we should not close our ears to voices from media outlets different from our own camp, nor neglect the duty to persuade and explain to their readers."

He added, "I heard that many politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, including President Moon Jae-in, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and party leaders, participated in this event by donating various items," emphasizing, "It is natural for politicians to help unite the people beyond left-right logic and party lines and to promote the prosperity of the national community."

He continued, "As a politician from a progressive party with a political stance on the left, my attendance at the Chosun Ilbo event was because I share the same thoughts as the President, the Speaker, and party leaders."

Regarding his remarks about former Presidents Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee, Park said, "I always hold the principle of acknowledging merits and faults separately."

He explained, "On the 12th, while giving a lecture on leadership to students at Yonsei University, I shared my usual view that politicians must sometimes make bold decisions even if they face criticism for the future," adding, "I wanted to point out that being trapped in factional logic when discussing historical facts can lead to narrow-mindedness."

He also said, "Even if one dislikes Rhee Syngman, it cannot be denied that South Korea prioritized education as a national task immediately after liberation, and even if one opposes Park Chung-hee, it is undeniable that the Gyeongbu Expressway played an important role in industrialization," emphasizing, "Moreover, these achievements are not solely the merits of former Presidents Rhee and Park. Our people worked together to accomplish them, and we should not ignore or belittle this."

He concluded, "I believe that reform in a democratic society is achieved through 'persuasion,' not 'incitement,'" adding, "Politics that mocks and hates opponents or tries to label and drive them out as enemies will not change our society. Even if it is lonely and difficult now, I will strive to explain better and gain agreement."

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