Park Ji-hyun Opposes 'Lee Jae-myung Resignation Theory': "We Will Resist Together Against Opposition Suppression"

"I Disagree with the Claim That Lee Jae-myung Should Step Down"
No Related Allegations Have Been Proven True
We Must Counter with Livelihood Struggles Instead of Bulletproof Battles

Former Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Emergency Committee Park Ji-hyun is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 20th. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 26th, Park Ji-hyun, former Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed that she "finds it difficult to agree" with the voices calling for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, to step down due to investigations into illegal presidential election funds. Although Park, who has raised criticisms against Lee, stated, "I will not stop giving harsh words, but I will resist alongside Lee against opposition party oppression."

On the same day, through social media (SNS), Park said, "I have always been at the forefront in giving Lee harsh words when reflection was needed," but added, "I find it difficult to agree with the opinion that Lee should step down now."

Regarding her criticisms, she said, "I have believed that a democratic party should be able to debate freely with strategies and policies, and my view remains unchanged," adding, "The Democratic Party came to power when diversity thrived and was defeated when closed-mindedness strengthened. The Democratic Party must be a party where diverse opinions can be freely expressed more than any other party."

However, concerning calls for Lee's resignation, she pointed out, "At this unprecedented level of opposition party oppression, with the party's fate at stake, if the party leader steps down without alternatives, the party will face another crisis," emphasizing, "None of the allegations against Lee have been proven true. So far, they are merely unilateral claims by the prosecution, obsessed with political retaliation."

Nonetheless, Park argued that the Democratic Party's response methods need to change.

She stated, "We need to change our strategy and tactics," and "We must shift from a defensive fight to a livelihood fight." Park presented four principles, urging, "We should not be swayed by the hardline fandom but align our steps with the people."

She said, "A nationwide countermeasure organization must be established," adding, "Instead of Democratic Party lawmakers attending resignation rallies, the Democratic Party should take the lead and create an organization with all opposition parties, conscientious intellectuals, and civic groups to overcome this emergency situation together."

She continued, "The fight should be wisely conducted in the National Assembly focusing on legislative battles based on the combat power of 169 seats," and "The Democratic Party must strongly push forward the promised livelihood reforms." As livelihood reform tasks, Park emphasized, "We must enact the Anti-Discrimination Act promised to the people and ensure the passage of livelihood legislation including the Serious Accident Punishment Act and the Yellow Envelope Act," adding, "Climate legislation and pension reform must also be boldly advanced."

She said, "We must thoroughly investigate and create solutions for the economic incompetence of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration to demonstrate the capability of a competent party that revives the economy," and "To overcome the economic crisis triggered by Kim Jin-tae, the hopeless Governor of Gangwon Province, he must be removed, and a parliamentary state audit must be launched to uncover the truth of the situation and swiftly present measures to restore market confidence."

Additionally, she insisted, "Prosecution investigations and livelihood issues must be thoroughly separated." Park said, "I believe the Democratic Party's boycott of the president's policy speech was a wrong decision," and "The investigation targeting Lee should be handled strictly on a personal level, independent of the party, and the Democratic Party should focus all efforts on livelihood issues and economic recovery."

Park emphasized, "What the people expect from the Democratic Party is not a fighting leadership but a working leadership," and "Even if the ruling party neglects governance and focuses on retaliation, the Democratic Party must silently overcome oppression and demonstrate efforts to solve livelihood and economic issues."

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