The People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday rejected the reinstatement application of Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young, who had left the party after being held responsible for the inadequate response to the Itaewon crowd crush disaster.
The PPP Seoul chapter made the decision at a party membership review committee meeting held the same day. The committee explained that it "rejected the reinstatement in sympathy with the grief of the bereaved families over the massive social tragedy and in recognition of political and moral responsibility."
Mayor Park was detained and indicted in February 2023 on charges of inadequate response during the Itaewon tragedy that occurred in 2022. Park, who left the party following the indictment, was acquitted in the first trial in October 2024. He recently applied for reinstatement based on the acquittal. He was reportedly planning to seek reelection as Yongsan District Mayor in the June 3 local elections upon rejoining the party.
The PPP Seoul chapter stated, "We have not forgotten the painful lesson from the defeat we suffered when we re-nominated a pardoned candidate during the Gangseo District mayoral by-election," adding, "We will not repeat decisions that go against public sentiment."
The decision is interpreted as anticipation of strong public backlash against reinstatement, given that the verdict remains pending following the prosecution's appeal and painful memories of the tragedy in central Seoul remain fresh.
