'Imgeum 王' Drawn on Yoon Seok-yeol's Palm... Political Circles Say "Back to the Choi Soon-sil Era?"

Yoo Seung-min "Must reveal whose words were listened to when drawing"
Song Young-gil "An absurd situation is unfolding"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] During the broadcast debate of the People Power Party's presidential candidate primary, a scene where former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol engraved a character resembling the king (王) symbol in black on his palm has recently become a topic of controversy. Competitors within the People Power Party as well as the ruling party raised concerns, suggesting the possibility of shamanistic involvement.

A scene where Yoon Seok-yeol, the former Prosecutor General and a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, drew the character '왕 (王)' in the center of his palm during a TV debate was captured on camera. On the 2nd, an online community circulated a photo capturing Yoon's palm with the Chinese character '왕 (王)', meaning "king," drawn on it during the last three TV debates. On the 1st, at the 5th TV debate hosted by MBN, the character '왕 (王)' written on Yoon's palm was clearly captured as he made a hand-waving gesture during a one-on-one leadership debate with Assemblyman Hong Jun-pyo. Yoon's campaign team explained that supporters living in the same apartment as the candidate wrote it on his palm to cheer him on whenever there was a debate. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, former lawmaker and People Power Party presidential candidate Yoo Seung-min expressed on social media (SNS), "Candidate Yoon, reveal whose words you listened to when you wrote ‘왕’ on your palm," and added, "What on earth were you thinking to repeatedly show such an image on a TV debate broadcasted to the entire nation?" expressing his concern.

Former lawmaker Yoo said, "At a time when regime change is desperately needed, the people must know exactly whose words the person aspiring to be president is listening to when doing such absurd things," and asked again, "Whose words did you listen to, or who ordered you to do this?"

He continued, "What is the difference between the ruling party candidate who behaves like a cult leader talking about heaven and hell, and Choi Soon-sil who used to obsess over the five cardinal colors? Does writing a single character on your palm really change the person, our party, or the Republic of Korea?"

Former lawmaker Yoo criticized, "Many people are already doubting whether our party’s candidate can defeat Lee Jae-myung, who is like a cult leader, given Candidate Yoon’s lack of experience and debate skills."

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also said, "It made me think we might be going back to the Choi Soon-sil era." At the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regional primary held at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) that afternoon, Leader Song pointed out, "A person who thinks of the president, the number one worker who should serve the people the most, as a king," and criticized, "Whether based on magic or not, an absurd situation is occurring where the character ‘왕’ is written and carried like a talisman."