- The Democratic Party faces cold winds... Unity is more important than division
- Controversy over President Lee's multicultural remarks? Making efforts to break away from partisan logic
- President Lee's social media use: He does it out of frustration because subordinates don't do it
- An issue that would diminish if the Prime Minister, Party Leader, and Chief of Staff play their roles
- Kim Min-seok approaches 100 days in office: A time to help, not shake him
- President Lee on YouTube? Doing it directly is an option, but it shouldn't be too frequent
- Jung Chung-rae raising a flag? A former party leader... Talking about raising a flag is not right
- Rhyu Si-min needs to stop the old habit of undermining DJ
- Trump dealing with the Binance hack through dialogue? A master of negotiation
- Kim Jong Un has a very high chance of coming to the dialogue table
■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00)
■ Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Representative Park Ji-won of the Democratic Party of Korea
[Kim Tae-hyun]: We meet him every other week. We are joined by Representative Park Ji-won of the Democratic Party of Korea, widely known as a political grandmaster. Hello, Representative.
[Park Ji-won]: The weather is as cold as the Democratic Party.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So you're saying it's quite chilly for the Democratic Party right now.
[Park Ji-won]: It is cold.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But you have been saying the Democratic Party is doing well.
[Park Ji-won]: We are doing well right now, aren't we?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Broadcaster Kim Ou-joon seemed to think otherwise.
[Park Ji-won]: Regardless, in today's column "Behind the Scenes" by Senior Journalist Seong Han-yong of Hankyoreh, he focused on moderate voters, the capital area, and youth.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I read it yesterday too.
[Park Ji-won]: He highlighted moderates, the capital area, and youth, but right now there is no silver bullet for youth, real estate, and the stock market. However, when I look at the actual youth policies, I'm often surprised. Just yesterday evening, I had cold noodles at Eulmildae in Mapo, and youth housing is standing right in front of it. A really nice apartment building has been built.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Park Ji-won]: My grandson also got married, recently had a child, and won an apartment subscription allotment.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Really?
[Park Ji-won]: Yes. He said it was like hitting the jackpot.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: That really is great.
[Park Ji-won]: Even so, things are difficult.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Difficult.
[Park Ji-won]: So, the middle class and the capital region. For the capital region, it all comes down to apartments, doesn't it? Young people are expressing discontent over stocks, so it's a tough situation.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Since you brought it up, I also read Senior Journalist Seong Han-yong's column yesterday. The conclusion was that if the People Power Party continues under the leadership of Jang Dong-hyeok, the Democratic Party will have a good chance in the general election. But if the leadership shifts and names like Oh Se-hoon, Han Dong-hoon, and Yoo Seong-min take center stage, the general election will be tough for the Democratic Party.
[Park Ji-won]: If that happens, the People Power Party would head toward unity, while our Democratic Party would head toward division. But I do not think it will turn out that way.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Does that mean you think the Jang Dong-hyeok leadership will continue?
[Park Ji-won]: It needs to do well.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You mean he will run for re-election at the next national convention, and Representative Jang Dong-hyeok will succeed?
[Park Ji-won]: Of course. What I continually regret is that I said from early on that it wouldn't work. Han Dong-hoon should have raised his own flag and advocated for healthy conservatism, even if it couldn't form a parliamentary negotiating group.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: A new party?
[Park Ji-won]: A new party. If he had, I believe he would have succeeded. Under the current circumstances, even if he tries to rejoin the party, nobody wants Han Dong-hoon back.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Aren't you hoping for a new party led by Han Dong-hoon just to divide the conservative bloc?
[Park Ji-won]: I am not aiming for division. Having a healthy conservative bloc is good for both the ruling party and the government. Conservatism is currently fractured. In politics, my misfortune does not lead to your happiness. My misfortune leads to your misfortune. That is why I believe both sides are struggling together right now.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. In any case, you also noted that the Democratic Party is facing cold winds.
[Park Ji-won]: That's right.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: And unity is more important than division.
[Park Ji-won]: Absolutely.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: In terms of unity, you attended the dinner last Wednesday where senior lawmakers with five or more terms dined with the President. It's quite rare to gather only senior lawmakers with five or more terms for dinner, isn't it? Isn't this uncommon?
[Park Ji-won]: It was my first time going. Senior lawmakers attended, and even when reporters asked me what was discussed, my view is this: because the Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs already made an announcement, talking outside about what was discussed with the President is a breach of etiquette. It crosses the line of propriety. Therefore, please do not ask what was said.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: It seems there were indeed conversations that shouldn't be made public.
[Park Ji-won]: There was nothing we couldn't find common ground on. We spoke candidly about many things, but it's best not to disclose the specific details.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: The atmosphere was good, right? I heard you discussed various issues centering around the keyword of unity.
[Park Ji-won]: If you keep digging like that, pieces will just keep spilling out.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I was just wondering if there were confidential discussions that couldn't be shared.
[Park Ji-won]: It wasn't like that. The atmosphere was pleasant, we spoke our minds, and the President said what he needed to say.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Did you also speak comfortably and say everything you wanted?
[Park Ji-won]: That's right. I did as well.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Still, several things have surfaced through media reports. What drew the most media attention was this report: "A senior lawmaker asked the President to exercise caution regarding his use of social media."
[Park Ji-won]: Well, I told you I'm not answering that.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But this was reported.
[Park Ji-won]: Even if it was reported, I won't say. If I talk, wouldn't that just be confirming it?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I see. The President uses social media a lot right now. Over the weekend, he posted about multicultural families for about five consecutive days. Isn't that responding too much?
[Park Ji-won]: Regarding multicultural families, Chosun Ilbo wrote an editorial today saying, "It is time to review the matter." Looking at things now, it feels as if Chosun Ilbo has become Hankyoreh and Hankyoreh has become Chosun Ilbo.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Really? Do you mean the President's slightly center-right tilt is gaining traction?
[Park Ji-won]: That's right. Frankly, if it weren't for the current political deadlock, President Lee Jae-myung is on the right track.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So the President continuously talking about multicultural policy means he is not trapped in partisan logic, but rather...
[Park Ji-won]: Not just regarding multicultural families, but in general, he is making significant efforts not to be trapped in partisan logic. We should give credit for that.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I understand that point. But this is a topic that could be left to the responsible ministries. How do you view the President intervening directly and voicing his opinions every day? Some in the media see it as micromanaging too much.
[Park Ji-won]: This morning, Seong Han-yong's "Behind the Scenes" column in Hankyoreh also mentioned micromanagement several times. However, the President uses social media to communicate directly with the public and wants to keep doing so, which is why he posts frequently. I post frequently too.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You post often, but the President posts much more.
[Park Ji-won]: The President certainly posts far more.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But when the President directly states his stance on policy, the direction gets determined and put in motion by a single word from him.
[Park Ji-won]: That is why I have said from the past: the Prime Minister is invisible, the Cabinet is invisible, and the senior secretaries are invisible. Among ministers, the only one visible is Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-gwan.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: At the moment.
[Park Ji-won]: In fact, until recently, only the three chiefs in the presidential office were visible. But now, even those three chiefs aren't visible and only the President is seen, which is why people talk. When I was Chief of Staff, that's how I handled it. In the past, people used terms like the "Big 3" or "Big 4." The "Big 4" referred to the Prime Minister, Party Leader, Chief of Staff, and Director of National Intelligence. These days, the NIS Director isn't part of that.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Park Ji-won]: And I hope the "Big 3" coordinate well through phone calls once a week, or even once a day, but that role seems absent.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Are you suggesting the Big 3 should play their roles so that the President doesn't have to step to the forefront so often?
[Park Ji-won]: If the Big 3 coordinate like that, propose recommendations, and align with the President, concerns from the public about excessive social media use or micromanagement would decrease significantly. Don't tell him to stop. He does it because subordinates aren't doing it, out of frustration.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Representative Park, Senior Journalist Seong Han-yong's column also pointed this out. Unlike the past combination of heavyweights like Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, the current pairing of Prime Minister Han Seong-sook and Chief of Staff Lim Kwang-hyun is strictly working-level, not politicians. Wouldn't coordinating that with the President be difficult?
[Park Ji-won]: Both are excellent figures, but the Party Leader is also there. When the three meet, administrative and working-level discussions must incorporate political considerations into the dialogue. If meetings among the Big 3 take place more often to report to the President, I believe other issues would resolve themselves.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Ultimately, the shoulders of current Party Leader Kim Min-seok, who served as Prime Minister, must feel very heavy.
[Park Ji-won]: Naturally.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Do you think Leader Kim Min-seok is doing well?
[Park Ji-won]: He seems to be trying hard to do well. And although there is much talk right now, the primary human assets of our Democratic Party are President Lee Jae-myung and Party Leader Kim Min-seok. Rather than undermining a party leader who hasn't even been in office for 100 days, everyone should join hands and help him do well. What other option is there?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Before we discuss that further, you probably won't tell me what the President said regarding a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party either, right?
[Park Ji-won]: Yes, I won't.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: An exclusive report by Hankyoreh stated that the President spoke positively about it.
[Park Ji-won]: Well, I won't discuss anything that was said.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Then what about this: reports suggest the presidential office may launch something like a YouTube channel to publicize policies. Do you think it would be better for the President to appear directly on such media rather than using social media?
[Park Ji-won]: Well, within the Democratic Party, Leader Kim Min-seok has seen good results with his morning program "Min Tea." While launching a YouTube broadcast for the President to appear directly is an option, he shouldn't appear too frequently.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: In the end, the party leadership needs to ease the burden on the President.
[Park Ji-won]: That's right. The system must allow at least the Big 3 and the Cabinet to function rather than having the President work alone. A solo play is somewhat problematic, isn't it?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Leader Kim Min-seok's role will inevitably expand. Representative Jung Chung-rae attended a political retreat hosted by Park Si-young over the weekend and spoke about Leader Kim Min-seok, saying: "When he reaches 100 days in office, his achievements and approval ratings will be judged. I am contemplating step by step what kind of flag to raise and what words to write on that flag." Regarding this...
[Park Ji-won]: What flag is he talking about raising? Is he going to raise a Red Guard flag, or a Taegeukgi flag?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Isn't he raising a banner of revolt?
[Park Ji-won]: Even so, one should raise a flag of Democratic Party unity and join hands to lift the load. If the President and the party currently face serious difficulties from the public, what flag would a former party leader raise? They should cooperate, pool their wisdom, and think about breaking through together.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: That is certainly correct. What you say makes absolute sense.
[Park Ji-won]: It's good when it makes sense. That is the path we must take.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: But with Leader Kim Min-seok facing unfavorable party approval ratings, for a former leader to speak this way...
[Park Ji-won]: Promising to boost approval ratings by over 10% within 100 days of taking office is an expression of determination. However, if things are stagnant in reality due to various factors, we should join hands and carry the burden together. Why talk about raising a Red Guard flag or a Taegeukgi flag?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Not long ago, writer Rhyu Si-min also made remarks that seemed aimed at Leader Kim Min-seok, saying, "A situation where party members exercise their sovereignty might come in the near future." And now former Leader Jung says he is going to raise a flag.
[Park Ji-won]: Writer Rhyu Si-min needs to stop. Even when DJ took power, from the election campaign onward, he said, "It is a guaranteed defeat, he cannot succeed, he will step down midway." But who among our presidents was elected and succeeded as much as President Kim Dae-jung? Repeating that old habit today is not good. Tell him to stop now.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: At the same time, when Kim Ou-joon interviewed you, he openly took the opposite view, saying, "The Democratic Party is doing poorly."
[Park Ji-won]: Isn't Kim Ou-joon a member of the media, just like you, Anchor Kim Tae-hyun?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Well, that is true.
[Park Ji-won]: Since he is hosting a broadcast, he can ask such questions. But I maintain that we are doing well.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Representative Park, hasn't an explicit and organized campaign to shake Leader Kim Min-seok begun from the anti-Kim Min-seok faction?
[Park Ji-won]: When Jung Chung-rae was party leader, he always used to quote poet Do Jong-hwan's poem "Hollyhock": "Where is the flower that blossoms without trembling, where is the flower that blooms without getting wet?" Is shaking things up the answer? We need to join forces.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: People shouldn't shake him. But Representative, you also seem slightly unsatisfied with Leader Kim Min-seok's current role.
[Park Ji-won]: If I have complaints, I call and voice them; expressing dissatisfaction is necessary for the healthy development of a party. We cannot just sing praises all the time, saying everything is great. However, speaking of raising some kind of flag is something lawmakers of our Democratic Party—and particularly a former party leader—should not be doing. It is improper.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Representative Park, since you served as Director of National Intelligence, let's address this last issue. Over the weekend, Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, was breached. 8 trillion won was stolen in 20 minutes. The US FBI officially announced that "it appears to be the work of North Korea," and President Trump stated, "If this is confirmed to be North Korea's doing, I will talk with North Korea." While the FBI has already concluded it was North Korea, President Trump said he would engage in dialogue if it turns out to be North Korea.
[Park Ji-won]: Right now, this is not just a Binance issue; it is our issue. As I have repeatedly stated, David Sanger of The New York Times noted in his book that "the 21st century is a war of hacking." Therefore, our country must also prepare. That is why laws were amended and the National Intelligence Service has been strengthened. Looking at the parliamentary audit this time, the NIS was preparing very well.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that so?
[Park Ji-won]: Yes. But while New York Times columnist David Sanger named North Korea, Russia, and China as the world's top hacking nations, I consider the United States, South Korea, and Israel to be the most capable.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: South Korea? What is the reason?
[Park Ji-won]: Because when North Korea hacks, it leaves traces behind. That is why the US FBI's investigation concluding this was North Korea's doing is likely correct. Still, President Trump is truly a political mastermind and a genius at negotiation. A true master.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Park Ji-won]: When wooden-box landmines were discovered in the past, our government turned the tables and drew North Korea into military talks. We moved toward dialogue. Therefore, if the 8.4 trillion won Binance hack is indeed North Korea's doing, Kim Jong Un must also be trembling with fear regarding the United States. President Trump proposed talks to resolve this through dialogue. The US midterm election is tomorrow, isn't it?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Park Ji-won]: Once it's over, there may be a crushing defeat for Trump, and the probability of Kim Jong Un coming out for talks at that point is extremely high. Before the midterms, he insisted he would never come out, and said he wouldn't even attend APEC in China. But seeing Trump approach it this way, I think he played it very well.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. That was Representative Park Ji-won. Thank you.
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