Yoon Seok-yeol Visits 'Conservative Stronghold' Daegu: "Daegu Is a Progressive City"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is paying respects at the 2.28 Democracy Movement Memorial Tower in Dalseo-gu, Daegu on the morning of the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol visited the Daegu 2.28 Democracy Movement Memorial Tower on the 20th, saying, "Daegu is a progressive city where the democratization movement began," and "There is no conservative group in Daegu that protects vested interests." This was part of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Listens' schedule and marked his first public event in Daegu since announcing his presidential candidacy on the 29th of last month.

After paying respects, former Prosecutor General Yoon held a meeting with officials from the 2.28 Democracy Movement Memorial Association. At the meeting, he emphasized, "The April 19 Revolution began with the February 28 Daegu Uprising," and "This is the place where the country belongs to the people and where the democratization movement started."

The 2.28 Democracy Movement was a student movement on February 28, 1960, when students from eight high schools in Daegu rose up against the dictatorship of the Liberal Party. The 2.28 Democracy Movement is regarded as the catalyst that led to the March 15 Uprising and the April 19 Revolution, which ultimately toppled the Syngman Rhee Liberal Party regime.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon left a message in the guestbook stating, "Inheriting the spirit of 2.28, I will work hard for the re-advancement and prosperity of Daegu and Gyeongbuk based on the rule of law and democracy."

When a participant at the meeting mentioned that Daegu is perceived as a representative conservative city and asked, "What do you think about Daegu's conservatism, candidate?" Yoon replied, "I think the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region is conservative," but added, "However, the conservatism I refer to means that this region respects elders and has a well-established Confucian culture, not that it is conservative in any political camp."

He continued, "Rather, I believe the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region is a very liberal and progressive city that breaks vested interests and thinks ahead about the country's future."

Meanwhile, more than 200 people, including supporters of former Prosecutor General Yoon and the 'Taegukgi Unit' supporting former President Park Geun-hye, gathered at the site, causing some confusion. There was also a commotion as some supporters rushed toward former Prosecutor General Yoon while he was going to pay respects.

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