[Politics, That Day...] Why Did Hwang Kyo-ahn, Who Was on a 'Hunger Strike Ready to Die,' Meet Jeon Gwang-hoon?

The Day That Raised the Stock Price of Politician Hwang Kyo-ahn... Meeting with Jeon Gwang-hoon, a Spark of Concern for the Future United Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] ‘Politics, On That Day…’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is on a hunger strike in front of the fountain at the Blue House in Seoul on November 20, 2019. Representative Hwang decided to fast as a form of protest against the termination of GSOMIA, the mixed-member proportional representation system designated as a fast track, and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

"I am prepared to die." ‘Politician Hwang Kyo-ahn’ delivered a resolute cry at the square in front of the Blue House on November 20 last year. At that time, when the leader of the main opposition party declared a hunger strike prepared to die in front of the Blue House, the political situation was shaken.

At that time, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, pulled out the ‘last card’ that an opposition leader could choose. It was less than five months before the 21st general election.

If the opposition leader embarks on a struggle prepared to die, it can rally the support base and inevitably put the Blue House and the ruling party on edge. For politician Hwang Kyo-ahn, ‘that day’ was the most important moment in his political career.

Leader Hwang Kyo-ahn stated, "To prevent a national crisis of utmost urgency, I now enter among the people and begin an indefinite hunger strike." The media focused on Leader Hwang, and the political circles in Yeouido were all ears to his words and actions.

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon is entering the tent and greeting officials to meet Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, who has been on an eight-day hunger strike near the Blue House fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on November 27, 2019. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The person Hwang Kyo-ahn met after declaring a hunger strike prepared to die was not a politician. The first ‘podium’ he stepped onto after the hunger strike declaration in front of the Blue House was also not a space prepared by the Liberty Korea Party.

Leader Hwang visited the ‘National Struggle Headquarters for the Resignation of Moon Jae-in’ rally in front of the Blue House and took the podium together with Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon. Pastor Jeon, who had been controversial for his far-right remarks, continued his problematic statements at this event.

Pastor Jeon criticized President Moon Jae-in’s perception of the founding of the nation, saying, “If someone in another country like the United States or Japan made such remarks, the people would immediately shoot and kill them,” and claimed, “In other countries, would they let a president who denies the founding of the nation live?”

When Pastor Jeon made these remarks, Leader Hwang stood beside him. He was not alone. The Liberty Korea Party lawmakers who attended the press conference in front of the Blue House with Leader Hwang also went up on the podium and listened to Pastor Jeon’s speech.

Senior Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, is responding to reporters' questions as he enters the courtroom for the first trial held on June 29 at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Did Leader Hwang Kyo-ahn realize what kind of backlash his meeting with Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon would lead to? Elections are a battle to attract those broadly positioned in the center, not those at the extremes of progressive and conservative. Winning the hearts of the moderate voters is ultimately what leads to election victory.

Leader Hwang’s act of meeting Pastor Jeon and the words conveyed on the podium ultimately burdened not only himself but also the main opposition party.

The Liberty Korea Party changed its name to the United Future Party and poured efforts into winning the general election, but the ‘far-right image’ became a burden. It disappointed not only the progressive and moderate voters but also supporters hoping for dignified conservatism.

The United Future Party is again suffering from the ‘Jeon Gwang-hoon risk’ at a time when it is preparing for a resurgence. Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon is being pointed out as a responsible party for the re-spread of the ‘novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19),’ and the fallout is spilling over to the United Future Party side.

As the relationship between the United Future Party and Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon is reexamined, it has become a negative factor in public opinion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.