"Park Geun-hye's Impeachment Is a Fraud!" Park's Unwavering 'Concrete Support Base' [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

Prison Letters Collection 'Longing Does Not Arise for Just Anyone' Bestseller
'Former President Park Geun-hye Impeachment Null and Void' Written Across Seoul Downtown
Ahead of Presidential Election, What Message Will Former President Park Send... Lee Jun-seok Says "She Will Deliver a Sophisticated Political Message"

Near a construction site in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, a metal protective barrier has writing supporting former President Park Geun-hye. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "President Park Geun-hye! We love you!", "The symbol of integrity and truth, Park Geun-hye!"

Former President Park Geun-hye's prison letter collection has gained popularity among supporters and has reached the comprehensive bestseller list. Some still claim that Park, who was impeached as president, is unfairly treated and argue for the nullification of the impeachment. Zealous supporters continue to show strong 'concrete support' for the former president by writing messages wishing for her health and well-being throughout the streets.

According to Kyobo Bookstore's bestseller ranking for the 5th week of January (January 26 to February 1, 2021), Park's prison letter collection "Longing Does Not Happen to Just Anyone," which had been number one for four consecutive weeks, ranked second. Although it dropped one spot, it still shows significant support.

Park's supporters gathered in front of the hospital where she was admitted on the day of her pardon to celebrate, and wrote "Impeachment nullification" messages throughout the streets. They also celebrated her birthday online, showing that Park still enjoys considerable support among conservative supporters.

At midnight on the 31st of last year, when Park was pardoned, numerous supporters gathered near Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where she was hospitalized, setting off fireworks to celebrate her pardon. This pardon came after 4 years and 9 months of imprisonment due to the state affairs manipulation scandal.

Meanwhile, near Euljiro in Jung-gu, Seoul, and near City Hall Station, graffiti claiming that Park's impeachment was a fraud can be easily seen. Considering the locations, these appear to be messages left by supporters who attended rallies and protests, as these are places where many gatherings occur.

Supporters of former President Park Geun-hye are cheering in front of Samsung Seoul Hospital in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in the early morning of December 31, when she was released through a special pardon.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Kim, a man in his 40s who identified himself as a conservative supporter and office worker, said, "President Park Geun-hye holds symbolic significance among conservatives," adding, "Now that she has been pardoned, I believe she can freely make political statements." He continued, "I think she will provide great help ahead of the presidential election."

Another Park supporter, Choi, a self-employed man in his 40s, emphasized, "Although there are various controversies such as the state affairs manipulation scandal, it is not right to judge the whole based on one part." He added, "Once the regime changes after the upcoming presidential election, the conservative side will likely propose many good policies."

Additionally, some supporters gather in online cafes to celebrate Park's birthday together. They created congratulatory posters featuring her face to celebrate her 70th birthday on February 2 last year and posted them on cafe bulletin boards. On her 68th birthday in 2019, about 3,000 Park supporters gathered in front of the detention center.

'Birthday celebration image' congratulating former President Park Geun-hye on her 70th birthday. It is presumed to have been created by supporters. Photo by an online cafe where supporters of former President Park gathered.

Meanwhile, political circles are focusing on what political message former President Park will deliver ahead of the presidential election. Previously, Park had announced that she would release a message to the public around the time of her discharge from the hospital.

Regarding this, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on MBN on the 2nd of last month and, when asked if "Former President Park will be a help to the People Power Party's candidate Yoon Seok-youl in this presidential election," he predicted, "She is a person with very high political acumen, so she will deliver a highly sophisticated political message."

Lee said, "I don't think she will release a message that brings significant gains or losses," adding, "Many people within the party have already been considering how to respond to such matters. However, I don't know if those opinions will be reflected in the candidate's stance."

He continued, "The first thing said upon hearing the news of Park's pardon was that 'Our party still feels a strong sense of responsibility and will reflect on the state affairs manipulation incident.' Therefore, it was clear what message the candidate could deliver accordingly. However, I don't think an appropriate message was delivered in a timely manner."

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