Park Ji-hyun, Who Targeted 'Cheoreomhwe', Considering Running for Party Convention

After Resigning as Emergency Committee Chair, Park Ji-hyun Resumes SNS Activity Amid Choi Kang-wook's Disciplinary Action
"Like the Center of the Local Election Defeat, the Cheohyeokhoe Should Be Disbanded" Sparks Strong Backlash from Kim Nam-guk and Others
Interpretations of Possible Candidacy Ahead of August Party Convention

Former Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Response Committee, Park Ji-hyun. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] Park Jihyun, former emergency committee chairperson of the Democratic Party who stepped down after the June 1 local election defeat, has called for the disbandment of Cheoreomhoe. Cheoreomhoe is a group of first-term lawmakers within the Democratic Party, launched in June 2020 under the leadership of lawmaker Choi Kangwook, and is classified as a hardline faction within the party.

Appearing 18 days after her resignation, former Chairperson Park posted on Facebook on the 21st, criticizing Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kangwook, who received a severe disciplinary action over allegations of sexual harassment remarks, stating, "Cheoreomhoe, intoxicated by fandom, has distanced the party from the public and led the local elections to a crushing defeat," arguing that it should be disbanded. Regarding Choi’s request for a retrial, she fiercely attacked, saying, "He is dragging the party into a deep quagmire."

Within the party, there is a sentiment that "she spoke her mind" in response to former Chairperson Park’s claims. Many have been dissatisfied with the hardline lawmakers leading the party, and they find Park’s courageous and straightforward criticism refreshing. However, not all views are favorable. On the 21st, lawmaker Ahn Minseok wrote on Facebook, "It is a very one-sided claim to blame the local election defeat on Choi Kangwook and Cheoreomhoe by someone who was formerly an emergency committee chairperson." Lawmakers belonging to Cheoreomhoe also protested, saying, "Do not shift the responsibility for the defeat onto Cheoreomhoe."

As former Chairperson Park resumed activity on social media and delivered messages, some analyses suggest that he has started gearing up for a political comeback. Former Democratic Party election committee spokesperson Hyun Geuntaek said in an interview with CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyunjung’s News Show' on the 20th, "There are rumors that former Chairperson Park will run in the party convention," adding, "(Regarding the disciplinary action against lawmaker Choi) While the ethics committee meeting is upcoming, I think this is also an expression of political revival." If former Chairperson Park throws his hat into the ring, a fierce debate over the future direction of the Democratic Party is expected at the convention.

As signs of escalating conflict over the disbandment of Cheoreomhoe emerged, emergency committee chairperson Woo Sangho urged restraint in publicly expressing opinions related to lawmaker Choi’s disciplinary action. At the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, Chairperson Woo said, "Although I have personal feelings about lawmaker Choi’s disciplinary action, I believe the ethics tribunal’s decision must be respected. The emergency committee will respect the ethics tribunal’s decision," emphasizing, "While individuals may have different judgments on matters decided according to the party’s established constitution and regulations, acts that publicly expose these and lead to clashes among supporters should be refrained from."

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