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.
Ex-Seoul Mayor joins LKP leadership race
Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announces his bid for leadership of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. The LKP is due to hold a national convention to elect its party leader and supreme members on Feb. 27. / Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon declared his bid to run in the leadership race of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), following former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and former LKP leader Hong Joon-pyo.
Oh, who served as Seoul mayor during Lee Myung-bak's presidency, said he will seek the unification of conservative forces by eliminating the political factions inside the party, especially the legacy of impeached President Park Geun-hye.
“We should no longer deny the impeachment as it was a judgment by the people. We need to get rid of the frame of the party of Park Geun-hye loyalists that we have,” he said at a press conference at LKP headquarters in Seoul.
“It's time we throw off the legacy of former President Park Geun-hye. I am not talking about abandoning her. I am well aware of Park's record of saving the troubled parties twice. But, unless we can overcome Park Geun-hye, conservative politics cannot revive.”
Oh's move followed Hwang and Hong who pledged to join the leadership race last month. His bid was largely expected since he joined the party in December.
In his speech, Oh criticized both his opponents. He criticized Hwang by saying, “If the main opposition party leader's flaws or his past wrongdoings are judged by the people, we will lose again. The innovation of the party cannot be done by a newcomer.” He also criticized Hong, saying, “We cannot give power again to the same person who led to a large defeat last time.”
On the same day, Hwang went to the southwestern Jeolla region for his leadership campaign, while Hong continued to have interviews with the media.
Meanwhile, the LKP plans to discuss postponing its national convention scheduled for Feb. 27 because the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump will take place on Feb. 27 and 28.