Following Yoon, Yoo Seung-min Faces Backlash... Conservative Groups Protest His Visit to Park Chung-hee's Birthplace, Asking "Why Did the Traitor Come?"

On the afternoon of the 19th, Yoo Seung-min, a preliminary presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee in Sangmo-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk, while members of conservative groups opposing the visit lay down on the entrance road to the birthplace.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Yoo Seung-min, a presidential pre-candidate from the People Power Party, visited the 'Park Chung-hee Birthplace' to win the votes of the Yeongnam conservative base but faced difficulties due to opposition from conservative group members.

At around 12:30 PM today (the 19th), former lawmaker Yoo visited the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee located in Sangmo-dong, Gumi City, Gyeongbuk. However, about 200 members of conservative groups, including supporters of former President Park Geun-hye from the Our Republican Party, gathered in front of the birthplace and strongly opposed Yoo's visit. They held placards with messages such as "President Park Geun-hye, we will definitely protect you" and "Once a betrayer, always a betrayer," raising their voices in criticism against Yoo.

It took Yoo about an hour to pass the approximately 50-meter distance from the entrance of the birthplace to the memorial hall. Protesters lay down on the ground as a group to block Yoo's entry to the birthplace, and a conservative YouTuber rushed at Yoo with verbal abuse, leading to police intervention to restrain him.

Conservative group members also blocked Yoo's path as he left after paying respects. Protesters sprayed water at Yoo and surrounded his vehicle, delaying its departure for about 30 minutes. The police intervened to assist the vehicle's departure, but dozens of opponents ran onto the six-lane road, causing traffic paralysis in the area. Yoo was able to leave the scene around 2:20 PM, and three injured persons with minor injuries from the clashes were taken to the hospital.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Yoo Seung-min, a former lawmaker and presidential candidate from the People Power Party, visited the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee in Sangmo-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk. Meanwhile, supporters of the Our Republican Party and members of conservative groups protesting the visit surrounded Yoo and his party, trapping them in the crowd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

After entering the memorial hall under police protection, Yoo conducted flower offerings and incense burning. At a meeting with reporters after paying respects, he said, "Since the impeachment, the conservative political circle and conservative voters have become so divided and conflicted, and the Moon Jae-in government was born this way. As someone involved in politics, I always feel responsible and sorry."

He continued, "Many citizens feel disillusioned and frustrated with the Moon Jae-in government's failures," adding, "Those who criticize and curse me are also fellow citizens with whom we must reconcile to achieve regime change," and emphasized, "Regardless of past political choices, I hope we can unite and definitely achieve regime change."

Regarding criticism that he was a main culprit in former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, Yoo responded, "I supported the impeachment according to my conscience and conviction." Yoo plans to stay in Daegu, where the People Power Party has strong support, from the 19th to the 20th to focus on election campaigning.

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