Jihyun Park: "Lee Jae-myung Has Not Been the People's Party Leader for the Past 8 Months... He Must Make a Decision"

"Ijaemyeong Should Be the Democratic Party's Ijaemyeong, Not the Democratic Party's Ijaemyeong"
"Ijaemyeong's Resignation Does Not Help Party Stability... Party Officials Must Step Down"
The Democratic Party Must Undergo Comprehensive Reform

Former Emergency Response Committee Chair of the Democratic Party, Park Ji-hyun, on the 6th urged Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, to make a ‘do or die’ decision, demanding the replacement of key party officials and party reform.

Park and young members of the Democratic Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day, stating, "The image that Leader Lee has shown over the past eight months was neither that of a party leader for the people nor for the party members," and criticized, "Since being elected as party leader, Lee Jae-myung has not properly kept the promises he made to the public."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "Neither political reform nor party reform was implemented as promised, and the party continued to be divided," adding, "As a result, although an overwhelming rejection of the arrest motion against Leader Lee was expected, the number of votes in favor was one more. This means that many supported it in front but opposed it behind, overwhelmed by the power of the hardline fandom. It is a miserable sight."

Former Chair Park said, "The people demanded political reform and competent livelihood policies from Leader Lee Jae-myung, but he has only shown a selfish image that drives the party into crisis to shield himself," and "The Democratic Party has failed to properly confront the Yoon Seok-yeol government, which is trying to block the eyes and ears of the people."

He said, "We cannot help but ask who the Democratic Party, which has fought for the people over the years, is fighting for now," and urged, "Leader Lee must make a decision." Park added, "The one Leader Lee should fear is not the prosecution but the people," and "Therefore, it should be Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, not the Democratic Party of Lee Jae-myung. Only then will the people support the Democratic Party again."

After the press conference, Park met with reporters and clarified the nature of the decision, saying, "We are not demanding Leader Lee’s resignation," and "At this time, we judge that Leader Lee’s resignation would not help stabilize the party. What matters is whether the party reforms or not." He said, "The party currently seems to lack strategy, vision, and values," and "Party officials must be replaced." He added, "The party’s spokesperson, head of the strategic planning committee, and secretary-general should be completely replaced, and the party must move forward with a new image."

Regarding follow-up responses such as the arrest motion against Leader Lee, he said, "It is not desirable for the party’s discussions to end in approval or rejection, but I think the best option for Leader Lee is to (give up parliamentary immunity and) go to the warrant review, which would not lose his leadership."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The young party members requested specific party reforms including ▲ complete replacement of the Democratic Party ▲ innovation meetings ▲ promotion of former President Roh Moo-hyun’s election system reform plan ▲ operation of a common pledge task force at the party leader level ▲ changes to the party leader town hall meetings.

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