“Jung Cheong-rae is a star player… Park Chan-dae is a playing coach”
Park Chan-dae, acting representative and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 9th. Reporter Im Se-jun.
[Herald Economy=Joo So-hyun] Park Chan-dae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his candidacy for the party representative at the upcoming August 2nd provisional national convention, emphasizing the “one-team spirit,” saying, “All of the Democratic Party’s capabilities should be vested in the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.”
In an interview with MBC radio on the 23rd, when asked about his strengths in managing the party-government relationship as the leader of the ruling party, Park said, “The Yoon Seok-yeol government has messed up public livelihood, economy, security, national prestige, and democracy over the past three years. In the process of the Lee Jae-myung government completing the revolution of light, we must be truly good partners as the ruling party.”
He added, “To achieve that, the party, government, and Cheong Wa Dae must become one and form a one-team approach. As I became the floor leader, I have shown a lot of ‘servant leadership’ by supporting and maximizing people’s strengths,” expressing his belief that creating a united front in the party-government-presidential office relationship is paramount for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
Regarding whether he can play the role of both cooperation and checks and balances, Park mentioned, “Over the past four years, although Lee Jae-myung has now become president, I worked with him as chief spokesperson, chief secretary, a top member of the first leadership team, and the floor leader of the second leadership team,” and added, “During that time, I also served as acting president twice and general election campaign manager, so I believe I have the qualifications to offer critical advice when necessary.”
Concerning the rumors about his candidacy for Incheon mayor in the upcoming local elections, Park stated, “Since I was born, grew up, and developed in Incheon, becoming Incheon mayor is one of my key political goals. If I were to pursue it, I thought there might be a role for me to play in politics in Incheon, where I was born and raised. I once considered it an unattainable goal. However, over the past decade, as I grew politically, I contemplated it as an alternative option.”
He also noted, “If I were to become the party representative, the term would last for a year. With the local elections in June next year and the term ending in August, choosing one role would mean not pursuing the other, which also posed a dilemma.”
Regarding Jung Cheong-rae, who had previously expressed his intention to run for party representative, Park assessed him as a “star player” and “goal getter.” Park said, “Chairman Jung Cheong-rae has a clear drive and political insight to achieve his goals,” and added, “I am more like a coach, a playing coach that helps everyone perform well. Jung Cheong-rae has his strengths, and I have mine.”