Seoul Mayor Park denies reports on joining DUP yet

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon denied reports that he will join the main opposition Democratic United Party within the month, calling it premature.

The Yonhap news agency reported Friday that Park and South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Du-kwan are to join the left-wing party next Thursday, quoting the South Gyeongsang governor’s office and the provincial branch of the DUP, but both the party headquarters and the mayor denied it.

“I currently have no plans to join the DUP next week,” Park told reporters during his visit to Tokyo. “I will discuss the issue with the party and civic groups once I return to Seoul.”

Park also sent an official note to the DUP, asking for patience until he makes his final decision.

“If I decide to become a party member, it should be in order to bring real change to society, not just to meet formalities or political demands,” he said.

It has long been considered a goal of the leading opposition party to have the mayor sign up for membership.

Ahead of the October by-elections last year, Park and civic groups emerged as a significant political force among many voters who long for change in existing politics. Park won the left-wing’s internal nomination race for the mayoral election, which he also won as an opposition-backed independent.

Further focus was placed on Park’s moves as he is a close colleague of professor Ahn Cheol-soo, considered one of the top potential presidential candidates.

“I believe that Ahn is giving thought to the public’s calls (for his political activity), especially as he also aspires for change in our society,” Park said.

“However, the decision should come after much deliberation as it also took me a long time to take my first political step.”

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)