[Reporter’s Notebook] The Democratic Party Turns Its Back on Park Ji-hyun’s 'Courage'

Democratic Party of Korea Co-Chair Park Ji-hyun is holding a press conference appealing to the public on the 24th at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] "I apologize a hundred times, a thousand times more."

Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, bowed her head for 10 seconds in a heartfelt public apology on the 24th. While pleas to rally the support base before major elections have often been seen during past elections, Park’s apology was different.

The usual plea strategy before a big election is typically aimed at consolidating the support base. However, instead, she promised, "We will shed the stigma of double standards" and "We will transform into a mass party, not a fandom party." This was because she voiced criticism of the core support base right before the election. The subject was also different. Plea strategies are usually employed by those responsible, but Park is a kind of external figure urgently brought in after the presidential election defeat. This is why there are criticisms that those who make mistakes are separate from those who apologize.

There was some support such as "a courageous statement" (Rep. Park Yong-jin), but the overall atmosphere within the party was not good. Yoon Ho-jung, co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee, said, "I understand it as a personal statement," and Park Hong-geun, floor leader, criticized, "We should have been more cautious about getting trapped in the (double standards) frame." The view that her actions were unilateral is widespread. Kim Min-seok, co-head of the election committee, disparaged it by saying, "There was a discussion to include hopeful messages, but it seems she expressed her own thoughts again without proper coordination."

Overall, the perception is that her remarks were uncoordinated and lacked strategic consideration. The Democratic Party leadership expressed dissatisfaction and criticized Park’s remarks that criticized the support base right before a major election. Of course, underlying this seems to be dissatisfaction with calls for the retirement of the party’s mainstream 86 generation. Among party members, a new term "internal shooting" has even emerged.

Is it really necessary to simply disparage Park’s apology as "internal shooting" or "a personal matter"? Unlike four years ago during the local elections, the favorable atmosphere toward the Democratic Party has clearly disappeared. In such a situation, 26-year-old Park, who has just stepped into politics, courageously apologized saying, "The Democratic Party must change." Yet the Democratic Party is ignoring that sincerity.

Park expressed several times that she feels "distressed" by the criticism of internal shooting. Nevertheless, she stated that it is her mission to say what must be said. Why did she choose the path of confrontation? The answer is revealed in her public apology. Park said, "We must not succumb to those who criticize us as internal shooters," and "The Democratic Party must embrace diverse opinions to properly remember and fully innovate. We will return to the Democratic Party that once made our hearts beat for democracy."

Even after Park’s apology, the Democratic Party leadership said, "We will not give up, trusting the people and history in this election as well." It is necessary to look beyond just the support base and consider voters who are still deliberating their support.

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