Park Ji-won "Now is the time to fight... Talking about 'Plan B' already means losing"

"Ijaemyeong's National Support Higher Than Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jaein"

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won removes his mask to answer reporters' questions as he appears at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 14th. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Ji-won, former Chief Presidential Secretary who recently rejoined the Democratic Party of Korea, dismissed rumors circulating about his appointment as the 'Emergency Committee Chairperson,' stating, "Now is the time to fight."

On the morning of the 23rd, Park appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' and said, "This is not the time to be talking about such things."

He added, "Our Democratic Party must plant an apology tree with Representative Lee Jae-myung today, even if the world ends tomorrow," and emphasized, "Now is the time for the Democratic Party to unite and fight against opposition party oppression. Talking about Plan B already means conceding defeat."

He criticized the rumors within the party about his potential appointment as Emergency Committee Chairperson following Representative Lee's summons by the prosecution. He drew a clear line, saying, "The ink on my rejoining application hasn't even dried yet; why would I step forward to be Emergency Committee Chairperson already?"

Regarding voices within the party suggesting a 'separate response' to Representative Lee's risks, he said, "If the head of a household or the leader of an organization faces a problem, shouldn't everyone act together? Lee Jae-myung is not just a 'member of the National Assembly' but the party leader," stressing that the party should collectively respond to Lee's legal risks.

Park also stated, "He received 16.1 million votes, far more public support than Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, or Moon Jae-in, and lost to President Yoon Seok-youl by only 0.73 percentage points," adding, "While we criticize President Yoon, we still acknowledge him as president and treat him with respect. In that case, it is appropriate to extend corresponding courtesy to the leader of the main opposition party, who is an alternative force."

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