Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
DPK leader to focus on growth, peace
Rep. Lee Hae-chan, the chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a press conference held to mark the 100th day of his inauguration at the National Assembly, Monday. / Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
Rep. Lee Hae-chan, the chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), pledged Monday to focus on economic growth and establishing peace to reboot the country's sluggish economy.
“First, I will focus on stabilizing people's lives and sustainable economic growth. In order to create an inclusive country where people can live well together, we need to have a bold social debate beyond boundaries among companies, labor sector and civil society,” Lee said during a press conference held in the National Assembly, Monday, to mark his 100th day as DPK chairman.
“Once we can achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and end the Korean War through inter-Korean summits and North-U.S. summits, we will be able to share the outcomes of the achievement of peace and economy.”
His remarks came after the ruling party's approval rate fell to 38 percent Monday. It marked the ninth consecutive weekly fall and the lowest figure in about two years. The government and ruling party have been criticized by opposition parties for poor economic and job creation performance. Also, Lee's move is in line with the government's economic principles: income-led growth, innovative growth and a fair economy and peace momentum.
He said, “We need to come up with creative welfare and labor programs as well as an innovative growth model through a compromise in the society to invest in the future industry.” He highlighted he will develop a government measure, “Gwangju job,” which aims to provide welfare programs to make up for salary cuts, and expand it into different regions and create more jobs.
Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Seoul, Lee said “he promised to visit Seoul within this year and we expect him to do so.”
“I think it is desirable that the visit will take place and it is dependent on Kim's decision. If he makes up his mind (to come), ruling and opposition parties at the Assembly will discuss it and prepare for it.”
Regarding the question over the opposition parties' request to call for the resignation of Cho Kuk, the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, for alleged mismanagement of his staff, Lee defended him and criticized it as being the opposition parties' “political action.” “As far as I know, Cho is not related to the case.”
Last month, an officer on the inspection team under the authority of the civil affairs secretary at Cheong Wa Dae intervened in a police case, allegedly using his influence as staff of the presidential office. Political parties went all-out to call for Cho's resignation citing lax discipline under his leadership.
On Sunday, the DPK apologized in a statement for the people's disappointment over the alleged misconduct by the presidential officer saying “we will get rid of what is wrong and take a concrete measure in order not to repeat the mistakes.” The presidential spokesman said Monday that “(Cheong Wa Dae) is not in the position to comment on the issue.”
Meanwhile, he also pledged to come up with objective rules by April to nominate candidates to win general elections in 2020.
“It is important to come up with the rule as fast as possible. Also, it is desirable to minimize the political nomination.”
He emphasized that he has a limitless responsibility for the 2020 general elections and the success of Moon Jae-in government.