“Check the Yoon Administration and Become a Strong Opposition Party” Park Ju-min Announces Candidacy for Party Leader, Completing the ‘97 Group’ Lineup

Park Jumin Declares Candidacy for Party Leader... "If This Continues, Another Defeat in 2 Years"

Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is declaring his candidacy for the party leader election at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 8th, Park Jumin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, declared his candidacy for the next party leader election, stating, "I will check the Yoon Seok-yeol government and rebuild the Democratic Party through reform and innovation." With Park's declaration, all four members of the so-called 'Yanggang Yangbak' (Kang Byung-won, Kang Hoon-sik, Park Yong-jin, and Park Jumin) from the 97 group (those who entered university in the 1990s and were born in the 1970s), who have been mentioned as frontrunners for party leadership, will be running in the election. Park, a two-term lawmaker, was born in 1973.

At a press conference at the National Assembly that afternoon, Park said, "A crisis is approaching right under our noses, and we cannot allow the party to become one that does nothing again. That is why I stand here with a heavy resolve."

He emphasized, "This party leadership election should be a forum to discuss how the Democratic Party will carry out the reforms and innovations demanded by the people, and how it will transform into a strong and competent opposition party to regain the trust of the public. Above all, we must carefully listen to the voices of the people on the ground." He continued, "I propose a 'pan-national public deliberation body' to respond to the impending economic crisis and a 'social agenda joint conference' to realize the values of the Democratic Party. These will serve as a melting pot and platform to incorporate the voices of the people."

Park stated, "I was at the forefront of the reforms led by the Democratic Party," adding, "The entire process, including the Serious Accident Punishment Act, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act, and prosecution reform, was never smooth, but because it was the path the Democratic Party had to take, I walked it silently."

He said, "There was much deliberation before standing here," and added, "Some said, 'There is no need to vote anyway. The answer is already decided,' and that this candidacy would not help me at all."

Park promised, "The Democratic Party lost trust because it hesitated and failed to properly push forward the tasks demanded by the people. Now, I will build a strong Democratic Party that checks the Yoon Seok-yeol government and leads the overcoming of crises, powered by the main driving force behind the Democratic Party's reforms."

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