Park Jie-won hints at running for S. Jeolla governor

By Choi Ha-young

Rep. Park Jie-won

Park Jie-won, a four-term lawmaker of the minor liberal People’s Party, has shown interest in running for governor of South Jeolla Province in the local election scheduled for June next year.

“During the Chuseok holiday, I visited many places in the Jeolla region, particularly in South Jeolla Province,” he said while appearing on a radio program, Tuesday. “I am interested in becoming the governor of the province.”

He referred to his party’s shaky support base in the region. In addition to the party’s former presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo’s defeat in the election, the party has been suffering the fallout from a scandal in which party members fabricated false records to back accusations made against then candidate Moon Jae-in during the presidential election.

“From my point of view, the local election in June is vital for the survival of the People’s Party,” Park said. “For the upcoming election, the party’s leading lawmakers ― Ahn Cheol-soo, Sohn Hak-kyu, Chun Jung-bae, Chung Dong-young as well as myself ― should take the lead.”

The four-term lawmaker from South Jeolla Province is the de facto leader of those following the legacy of former liberal President Kim Dae-jung. In the radio interview, Park was up in arms over the defamation of Kim committed during ex-President Lee Myung-bak’s administration. The prosecution found that the spy agency under Lee made plans to deprive Kim of his Nobel Peace Prize by manipulating a conservative group.

“Lee should be questioned and put under arrest,” Park said. “If investigations by government bodies seem insufficient, I will consider filing a lawsuit.”

Meanwhile, People’s Party Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo may throw his hat into the ring as well. Political pundits have expected that Ahn is likely to run for mayor of Busan or Seoul. Incumbent Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of the ruling party has virtually declared his bid for his third term.