Park Yong-jin: "No Interest in Strategic Unification... Criticism of Tax Cuts is 'Outdated Factional Logic'"

Dark Horse of the Presidential Race, Representative Park Yong-jin
Dismisses Possibility of Anti-Lee Jae-myung Unification
Revitalization Through Corporate and Income Tax Cuts
Must Move Toward Progressive Centrist Base
Will Become the 'Son Heung-min of Yeouido'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is rapidly emerging as a "dark horse" in the ruling party's presidential race, bluntly stated that there is "not even a 1% chance" he would join a unified candidacy against Lee Jae-myung. In response to criticism over his campaign promises to cut corporate and income taxes, he said it was "just outdated factional logic."

On the 30th, Park appeared on KBS's "Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs" and said, "I have my own values and vision and so much to say to the people, but I regret that I have few opportunities to hold the microphone," adding, "I have zero interest in alliances or unifications formed just to oppose someone." He also sharply criticized factional alliances based on cliques and political calculations. Park said, "Those who claim to be the current 'trend' or those supported by factions with many National Assembly members tend to have more 'accomplishments' rather than 'a lot to say' like me," and added, "The people want a radical change in the Democratic Party, not to be mobilized for factional alliances or political maneuvers."

Regarding his campaign promises to cut corporate and income taxes to create jobs, he said, "There were corporate tax cuts during Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun's administrations," and added, "The criticism is likely just outdated factional logic." Park emphasized, "To avoid following Japan's lost 30 years, we need to create a virtuous cycle of investment and domestic demand expansion," and mentioned, "It is necessary to provide tax incentives so that companies can expand investment, increase employment, raise dividends, and boost wages."

Park also compared himself to "Son Heung-min of Yeouido." He said, "Although I am a left-wing politician, I plan to use the field widely like Son Heung-min by breaking through the center and also the right side. I will fulfill my role as the Son Heung-min of Yeouido." Park added, "The progressive camp should advance through the center. If they keep moving only along the left line, they will be caught by defenders. I believe progressives need to have the confidence to expand and advance through the center."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's "political declaration," Park criticized, "He spoke about the legitimacy of his candidacy but did not show any substance about the vision for leading South Korea's future." Park said, "He did not talk about South Korea's future policy-wise, and there are less than nine months until the presidential election," and targeted him by saying, "If his confidence is based on repeatedly saying 'I hate the president' and 'I hate the Democratic Party,' then he has no chance of being chosen."

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