Park Jihyun, Rejected from Registering as Opposition Candidate... Park Says "I'll Leave the Documents Behind"

Democrats: "No Possibility of Objection Reversal"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former co-chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Response Committee, Park Ji-hyun, attempted to register as a candidate for the party leader election but was refused document submission on the grounds that she did not meet the eligibility criteria.

On the morning of the 18th, Park tried to register as a candidate at the preliminary candidate registration desk set up by the Central Election Commission in the National Assembly, but the election commission rejected her documents, citing non-compliance with the party office election regulations.

She said, "Please take it and handle it within the party," leaving the documents at the registration desk and walking away.

Later, when asked by reporters whether she would accept the party’s policy given the possibility that even if registered, the resolution review might not proceed, she replied, "Yes," and explained, "The party requested that the official resolution procedure be followed. I thought that registering and submitting today was the official resolution submission method, so I submitted the documents."

When asked if she was aware beforehand that even submission would be rejected, she answered, "Reporters contacted me in advance, and spokesperson Jo O-seop just posted on Backble. I had been somewhat informed of the situation."

Regarding the possibility of alliances among some party leadership candidates, she said, "I think we need to meet and discuss more later."

Earlier that day, the party stated that submission itself was not possible regarding Park’s candidate registration. Jo O-seop, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "After checking with the election commission, it seems that submission itself is not possible," adding, "Although it was not officially discussed as an agenda item at the party affairs committee, Emergency Response Committee Chair Woo Sang-ho gathered resolutions during the party affairs committee meeting. None of the attending party affairs committee members made any remarks."

Regarding the possibility of future objections, he said, "Although it was not an official agenda at the Emergency Response Committee or party affairs committee meetings, since it has been a continuously discussed issue, it seems unlikely that there will be objections or reversals."

Previously, on the 15th, Park held a press conference in front of the National Assembly main gate and declared her candidacy.

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