Park Ji-won Claims "Yoon Pushes into Politics," Son Hye-won Responds "Pathetic Excuse, Run for Mokpo for Sure"

Park Ji-won, Who Has Effectively Declared Candidacy After Search and Seizure
Sharp Exchanges Even During Controversy Over Investment in Mokpo Old Downtown

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won, who underwent a home search on charges of abuse of authority related to recruitment, effectively declared his intention to run in the general election on the 25th, saying, "President Yoon Seok-yeol is pushing me to enter the political arena."

In response, former Democratic Party lawmaker Son Hye-won criticized Park's candidacy, asking, "What does a search have to do with politics?"

On the same day, Son posted on her Facebook, "I see all sorts of pathetic excuses. I hope you run in Mokpo." She added, "You must have been treated well and lived safely under the prosecution during your 16 years as a politician," and questioned, "Is that why you preferred the Judiciary Committee?"

On the 24th, Park was subjected to a police search on suspicion of improperly hiring two close aides to an affiliate of the National Intelligence Service during his tenure.

On the 25th, Park said on OhmyTV’s 'Sung Kyung-hwan Asks, Park Ji-won Answers,' "President Yoon Seok-yeol is pushing me to enter the political arena," adding, "I never said I was going into politics or running anywhere, but as of yesterday, it’s definite. The Yoon administration is sending me out like that."

Park explained, "About a year after I left the NIS, it seems the NIS requested an investigation by the police to commemorate that. I employed two of my aides as research fellows at a research institute affiliated with the NIS, and that was deemed wrong." He added, "Four police officers came, but they were polite. Since my grandson hasn’t started school yet, they waited until he went to school and then explained everything to me."

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Sohn Hye-won. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding rumors about his candidacy in Mokpo, Haenam-Wando-Jindo, or Yeongdeungpo, Park said, "It’s not Yeongdeungpo. One thing is clear: I am going into the political arena."

The two had previously exchanged sharp criticisms during Son’s controversy over investment in the old downtown area of Mokpo. At that time, Park was a member of the Democratic Peace Party representing Mokpo. On January 19, 2019, he claimed on Facebook, "One loach muddies the entire pond," insisting that Son should be investigated by the prosecution.

In response, Son announced her departure from the Democratic Party at a press conference the next day, saying, "If there is a way to defeat the icon of betrayal and a cunning politician, I will ride together on the campaign vehicle of a candidate who supports urban regeneration," implying she would not hesitate to campaign against Park’s re-election.

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