Park Ji-won tells Choo Mi-ae to 'focus on being governor' amid opposition to top investigator nominee

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ji-won sharply criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae for her repeated public opposition to the nomination of Kim Ji-yong as the inaugural head of the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, telling her to "focus on being governor."

Park made the remarks Wednesday on YTN Radio's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myeongdang," comparing Choo's repeated interventions to a whack-a-mole game. "It's like moles keep popping up one after another," he said. "So I'm going to hit them with the mallet."

When the host pushed back, asking how he could silence someone exercising their right to speak in a democratic society, Park said he did not think dissent was wrong in itself. "But since the confirmation hearing is now being held by the Interior and Safety Committee, she should step back," he said. "Particularly, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae should focus on being governor."

He added: "If she wants to go looking for good restaurants, she should be looking in Gyeonggi Province — why does she have to come all the way to Yeouido? I don't think that's right."

The remarks came after Choo posted on Facebook on Saturday, indirectly criticizing President Lee Jae Myung for backing Kim. "I heard it was a great restaurant and went on a recommendation," she wrote. "But when it came down to it, the hygiene was a mess, the staff were unkind, and the ingredients and the food itself were lacking."

Asked why he thought Choo kept speaking out, Park said she was likely doing some careful political calculation, but that it was far too early to start preparing a presidential run with three and a half years still to go. "We worked hard to support her when she was chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and when she ran for Gyeonggi governor," he said. "But when she keeps sticking her head up like in whack-a-mole, you have to bring the mallet down."

Park also weighed in on Chief Justice Jo's refusal to proceed with follow-up procedures for re-recommending Supreme Court justices, citing a lack of constitutional basis. "Don't look at it only through constitutional logic — you also have to look at customary law," Park said. "Isn't democracy about communication, coordination and adjustment? Where else will you find such a fine example of constitutional custom?"