Park Ji-hyun "What Can a Young Woman Do? Not Even Losing to a 5-Term Lawmaker"

"Younger age and being female have nothing to do with changing countries"
Yoon on women's quota described as 'dividing seats': "Distributing seats is skill"

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking via video at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 14th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Park Jihyun, co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Many people think, 'What can someone so young do?' but in terms of determination, I am not inferior to lawmakers with four or five terms."

On the 14th, in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Hanpanseungbu,' Chair Park said, "I want to show that being a woman and being young have nothing to do with changing this country."

Park, a former activist of the 'Nth Room Tracking Team Bulkkot,' is 26 years old this year and served as the vice chair of the Women's Committee of the Democratic Party's presidential campaign committee in this election. After the presidential election defeat, she was appointed co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee alongside floor leader Yoon Hojung.

Regarding the presidential election defeat, Chair Park said, "Over the past five years, the Democratic Party has caused much disappointment to the public due to power-related sexual crimes and real estate issues, and I think that was reflected in the election results. It is true that we have been complacent even with 180 seats. Even now, we must refresh ourselves and clearly reform."

She also expressed a critical view of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol. Regarding Yoon's remark that the female quota system is "dividing up seats," Chair Park pointed out, "I understand that President-elect Yoon said that ability and experience come first. This raises questions about how to listen to the voices of socially disadvantaged groups and multicultural communities."

She continued, "It is not about dividing up seats, but about distributing them well, and I think this leads to political competence. The Democratic Party will distribute well through reform."

Regarding recent remarks by Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, accusing the Democratic Party of 'minority politics,' she said, "I think the rush of people joining the Democratic Party sufficiently explains that it is not minority politics. While one voice is important, expanding the capacity to embrace diverse voices might be the core of politics now."

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