Park Ji-won "Ruling Party Cannot Cut Ties with Jeon Kwang-hoon... His Influence is Significant"

Published 12 Apr.2023 09:10(KST)

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member who caused controversy with a slip of the tongue during a service, have even been mentioned for 'discipline' by the presidential office, leading to speculation that the ruling party might be trying to cut ties with Pastor Jeon. However, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won firmly stated, "They will not be able to cut ties."

On the 12th, former NIS Director Park said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "Under no circumstances will the People Power Party be able to cut ties with Pastor Jeon. His influence is immense. That is how I see it," he said.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding former President Park Geun-hye's first outing in over a year ahead of the general election to visit Donghwasa Temple in Daegu, he said, "Former President Park also needs to move. She is a person, so why stay still?" and added, "Former President Park is almost treated as a hero in the TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk) region."

However, he expressed doubts about whether former President Park's actions would have any influence. Responding to the host's question, former NIS Director Park retorted, "(Former President Park's) influence exists, right? Doesn't it?" but emphasized, "Everyone has influence. Even someone like me gains influence when I go around."

He continued, "Rather than focusing on such movements by former President Park, we should look at how our country's economy is doing. President Yoon Suk-yeol will ultimately be judged by the livelihood economy and recorded as a failed president," adding, "Our economy is becoming very difficult, and now is the time to discuss the livelihood economy. The comings and goings of former President Park?what kind of history is that?"

While former President Park's movements may generate influence, it is interpreted to mean that whether she can exert influence in the general election beyond the immediate challenge of the economic crisis remains uncertain.