Park Ji-hyun Met Woo Sang-ho "Official Party Leader Candidacy Declaration This Week"

"Woosangho Respects Decision but Says Reconsidering Candidacy Eligibility Is Difficult"
"Candidate Registration Will Proceed as Planned... Future Decisions Are Party's Responsibility"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Former Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, reiterated on the 13th her intention to run for party leader despite controversies over her eligibility to be a candidate.

On the day, former Emergency Committee Chairperson Park met with Emergency Committee Chairperson Woo Sang-ho for lunch at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, and told reporters, "I will officially hold a press conference to declare my candidacy within this week," adding, "Chairperson Woo also said he respects my decision to do so."

Woo Sang-ho, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is exchanging greetings after a lunch meeting with former Emergency Response Committee Chairwoman Park Ji-hyun at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

However, it is known that Chairperson Woo stated it would be difficult for the Emergency Committee to reconsider granting candidacy eligibility to former Chairperson Park, who has been a party member for less than six months.

Former Chairperson Park said, "Within the party, they say it is difficult to discuss it again, but there was some disagreement between me and them regarding this."

Previously, the Democratic Party Emergency Committee concluded that former Chairperson Park did not meet the eligibility requirements to run, based on the party constitution and regulations stating that only party members who joined at least six months prior have the right to be candidates.

Nonetheless, former Chairperson Park has continued to show her determination to run for party leader, opposing the party’s decision to disallow her candidacy.

Former Chairperson Park said, "I will register as a candidate as planned, and I think the party will make a decision later." She added, "The reasons I consider for an exception and the reasons the party thinks may differ, but at least when it comes to the Democratic Party, there should be more attentive listening to the voices of the people."

Regarding the proposal circulating in some circles to 'give up the party leader’s right to nominate candidates for the general election,' she said, "I strongly agree," and responded, "Because there were moves to become party leader due to the nomination rights, relinquishing those rights could be the first step in giving up vested interests."

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