Park Ji-hyun "Severe Punishment for Choi Kang-wook Welcomed but Regrettable... Jiseon Defeat Responsibility Demands Dissolution of Cheoreomhwe"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former Emergency Committee Chair of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, responded to the six-month suspension of party membership imposed on Representative Choi Kang-wook over the ‘sexual harassment controversy’ by saying it was ‘late but fortunate.’ Park called for the disbandment of the ‘Cheoreomhoe’ faction, holding not only Choi responsible but also blaming them for covering up sexual harassment and the defeat in the local elections.

On the 21st, Park stated through social media (SNS), "The Democratic Party Ethics Tribunal has suspended Representative Choi’s party membership for six months," adding, "It is late but fortunate, and while I welcome it, I also feel regret." The Ethics Tribunal had issued the disciplinary action against Choi the day before.

She said, "I believe this decision reflects a conclusion that moves the party closer to the people instead of the hardline fandom that endangers the party with lies, hypocrisy, violence, and hatred," but also noted, "Considering Choi’s false statements, attempts to conceal the issue, and secondary victimization, a six-month suspension of party membership cannot be seen as a severe punishment." She urged Choi, who denied the allegations, to "offer a sincere apology."

Park also pointed out, "It is problematic that there has been no punishment for the lawmakers, including Representative Kim Nam-guk, who attended the meeting at the time but concealed the truth and instructed their aides to keep quiet about Choi’s remarks," adding, "This incident is not only Choi Kang-wook’s personal fault but a collective wrongdoing of all lawmakers who conspired to cover it up during the meeting." She insisted, "A thorough investigation is necessary for the lawmakers who protected Choi and participated in the concealment."

Furthermore, regarding the causes of the local election defeat, she mentioned the ‘complete overhaul of prosecution’ (Geomsu Wanbak), incompetence during the personnel hearings, and strategic party defections, holding the Cheoreomhoe faction accountable.

Park stated, "The Geomsu Wanbak, led by lawmakers relying on fandom politics including Representatives Choi and Kim, was the biggest cause of the local election defeat," criticizing, "Relying on violent fandom, they neglected people’s livelihoods and pushed through Geomsu Wanbak, causing the party’s approval rating to drop by 10%." She also referred to the Ministry of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon’s confirmation hearing, saying, "They failed to properly explain the necessity of prosecutorial reform and only brought disgrace."

She said, "At the center of all these failures are the Cheoreomhoe lawmakers," and demanded, "Cheoreomhoe, intoxicated by fandom, distanced the party from the people and led to a crushing defeat in the local elections. Cheoreomhoe must be disbanded."

Park concluded, "The party must take this disciplinary action against Representative Choi as an opportunity to completely break away from fandom politics and promise to return to the people," warning, "If the party’s will does not align with the public’s sentiment, there is no Cape of Hope for the Democratic Party’s voyage. A party shaken by violent fandom that fails to fully reflect the people’s will cannot win the next general election or the next presidential election."

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