"Election Queen" Park Geun-hye, Will She Speak Out Against Moon's "Strong Anger"? [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

Former President Park Geun-hye to Deliver 'Political Message'?
Lee Jun-seok: "Will Deliver a Sophisticated Political Message"
President Moon's Unusual Anger at Yoon Seok-yeol Mentioning 'Deep-rooted Corruption Investigation'

Former President Park Geun-hye. With less than a month remaining until the presidential election, political circles are focused on what political message he will deliver.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Won't she release a message that helps candidate Yoon Seok-yeol?"

With less than a month remaining until the 20th presidential election, political attention is focused on the political message of former President Park Geun-hye. Especially in the recent situation where President Moon Jae-in unusually expressed 'strong anger' toward Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, there are supporters' views that if former President Park comments on the 'deep-rooted corruption investigation' mentioned by candidate Yoon, a sharp polarization of camps might form. In fact, the election landscape could fluctuate depending on former President Park's 'words.'

In the political sphere, it is expected that former President Park will deliver a message in some form. On the 8th, Jo Won-jin, the presidential candidate of Our Republican Party, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' and said, "(Former President Park) said she would deliver a message to the people after discharge, so she will." Regarding the discharge date, he said, "It could be later than February 15."

In this context, there is also a view that if former President Park issues a message that counters or refutes President Moon's remarks, the conservative base could solidify.

On the 10th, President Moon expressed "strong anger and demanded an apology" toward candidate Yoon. This came after candidate Yoon's statement on the 9th, predicting an investigation into the 'deep-rooted corruption of the current administration' if he comes to power, which the Blue House responded to as "very inappropriate and unpleasant," followed by President Moon unusually showing direct anger toward candidate Yoon.

On the 12th, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, also directly criticized candidate Yoon through Facebook. In a post titled 'Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, are you going to change tomorrow through political revenge?' Lee said, "Candidate Yoon has not apologized for political revenge even now," and "It is truly deplorable that he seems to be further determined to pursue political revenge."

He continued, "Candidate Yoon said he would be a 'president who changes tomorrow,'" adding, "You cannot change tomorrow through political revenge. Don't just brush it off; reflect on and apologize for your political revenge remarks." Then Lee emphasized, "And let me make it clear: I will not engage in political revenge. No, I don't have the luxury to do such things."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is giving a speech in front of Yeosu Expo Station in Jeollanam-do on the afternoon of the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

If former President Park's message consolidates the hardline conservative base amid the ruling party's offensive on candidate Yoon's 'deep-rooted corruption investigation' remarks, candidate Yoon could expect a significant relief and a rise in approval ratings. There is anticipation that she might release a message that could empower candidate Yoon.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, also said in an interview with MBN on the 2nd of last month, "I don't think (former President Park) will release a message that brings significant gain or loss," but added, "She is a politically very astute person, so she will deliver a highly sophisticated political message."

Supporters of the People Power Party are also hopeful. Kim, a man in his 40s working at a company, emphasized, "Former President Park's nickname is 'Queen of Elections,' and supporters expect her to release a message that greatly helps candidate Yoon." He added, "I believe a single word from former President Park can further unite the conservative base."

Park, a man in his 50s working at a company, said, "From the perspective of a former president on the conservative side, she will naturally say something that can help candidate Yoon," emphasizing, "After that statement, candidate Yoon's approval rating could rise further."

However, variables still remain. President Moon might decide on pardoning former President Park considering national unity and health, leading her to refrain from political remarks that could cause camp conflicts in the election situation or only issue routine messages. Although it is an election season, she might avoid engaging in real politics and only release encouraging messages to her supporters.

People continue to visit a countryside house in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, where former President Park Geun-hye is known to stay after being discharged on the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, it is known that former President Park will return to her political hometown, Daegu, after discharge. According to former President Park's side, it is highly likely that she will reside in Daegu Dalseong-gun, her former parliamentary constituency, after discharge.

Regarding this, according to Yeongnam Ilbo in the Daegu region, about a month ago, the wife of former President Park's close aide, lawyer Yoo Young-ha, purchased a detached house located in Daegu Dalseong-gun for about 2.5 billion KRW. Upon news of former President Park's residence preparation, supporters took 'certification photos' in front of the house's gate to commemorate their visit or hung banners welcoming her.

Former President Park was elected in Daegu Dalseong during the March 1998 by-election and was consecutively elected four times there.

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