Park Ji-won urges Cho Kuk to 'enter the tiger's den and become a tiger'

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ji-won has urged Cho Kuk, head of the Rebuilding Korea Party's policy research institute, to join the Democratic Party if he harbors greater political ambitions.

Speaking in an interview with KBS Radio's "Jeongyeok Sisa" on Thursday, Park suggested Cho would be better served by joining the larger party. "Can you really become president by running as the Rebuilding Korea Party's presidential candidate?" Park said. "It would be better to come into the tiger's den and work to become a tiger."

Park made the remarks while noting that Cho was not someone who merely aspired to a single National Assembly seat.

"Come into the tiger's den — come to the Democratic Party — and work to become a tiger there," Park said. "Acting petulantly and throwing tantrums from the outside will absolutely not help your political career."

Park also pushed back on Cho's recent criticism of the Democratic Party. "We have walked the same path and share the same goals, but there can be differences in interests on the details," he said. "Labeling us a 'red team' or making similar complaints over that amounts to nothing more than venting frustration over losing in Pyeongtaek."

"Acting irritably and spitefully from the outside, the way he is doing now, will absolutely not help his political career," Park added. "I say this because I respect and care for Director Cho."