Park Geun-hye Declared Support for Yoo Young-ha on the 8th
Political Circles Analyze TK's 'Paksim (朴心) Influence'
Rival Candidates Criticize: "Ex-President's Leverage," "Stop Park's 'Private Residence Politics'"
On the afternoon of the 24th of last month, former President Park Geun-hye arrived at Dalseong-gun, Daegu, and is giving a greeting. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Former President Park Geun-hye is facing criticism from citizens for serving as the chairman of the support committee for lawyer Yoo Young-ha, a candidate in the People Power Party primary for the Daegu mayoral election. Critics argue that it is inappropriate for Park, who was serving a 22-year prison sentence and was pardoned late last month, to send a political message less than two weeks after returning to her residence in Daegu.
Yoo Young-ha, a close aide of Park, announced his candidacy for the Daegu mayoral election on the 1st. He has been Park’s legal representative, leading lawsuits on her behalf for the past four years.
The issue arose when Park supported Yoo. On the 8th, the YouTube channel 'Yoo Young-ha TV' posted a video titled 'Former President Park Geun-hye’s Greeting as Chairman of Yoo Young-ha’s Preliminary Candidate Support Committee.' In the video, Park said, "I took on the role of chairman of the support committee partly at Yoo Young-ha’s request, but it was also a matter of mutual understanding. Yoo has stood by me during the most difficult and painful times over the past five years," adding, "Even when everyone I knew left and denied our connection, he silently endured the hardships by my side, bearing false accusations and envy without uttering a single word of complaint."
Park continued, "Although I was unable to fulfill all the dreams I wanted to achieve, I believe that Yoo Young-ha will realize these unfinished dreams on my behalf here in Daegu, which is both my hometown and Yoo’s hometown," declaring her support for Yoo’s preliminary candidacy.
This sparked a flood of analysis in political circles regarding the so-called 'Park’s influence (朴心).' Park’s influence in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region, known as a conservative stronghold, is significant. Some speculated that Park’s role as chairman of Yoo’s support committee might mark the resumption of her political activities.
However, Yoo drew a clear line, stating that Park did not appear in the video with the intention of political interference. In an interview with Daegu Newspaper on the 10th, he said, "Of course, she is not engaging in politics. However, anything the president says can be interpreted politically. I watched the video, and honestly, it was more than I deserved. It reflected the president’s own heartfelt regret from watching over me." He added that Park only spoke as a political elder on current issues and would not be involved in founding a party or engaging in politics in the future.
Regarding the controversy over Park’s backing, Yoo responded, "(Park) has no power. But I do not deny this: since the president took on the role of chairman of the support committee, there may be some level of support. I am prepared to endure such partial criticism." This was in response to analyses suggesting that Yoo, who is known to have no special ties to Daegu except for his childhood, is securing support by benefiting from Park’s influence.
He also expressed confidence, saying, "However, criticism should not be directed at my capabilities. How can anyone know how I will manage the city’s administration in the future? You have to roll the ball to know how it moves, and open the lid to see what’s inside. How can you know before it even starts?"
Lawyer Yoo Young-ha announced his candidacy for Daegu mayor at the Daegu branch of the People Power Party on the morning of the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, rival candidates have expressed discomfort. Hong Joon-pyo, a People Power Party lawmaker running for Daegu mayor, posted on Facebook on the 8th, "It is truly regrettable that the primary to select the leader who will lead Daegu’s revival is unfolding like this," and criticized, "The election has been reduced to a campaign leveraging a former president and a president-elect."
Han Min-jung, a preliminary candidate from the Justice Party, also issued a statement the same day, saying, "Park should stop the 'residence politics,'" and raised her voice, "She should not forget that her presidential qualifications were revoked during her term, that she was sentenced to 22 years for state affairs manipulation, and although pardoned, many citizens still view the pardon as unjust."
Citizens also criticized Park for using personal connections for political purposes. They argue that it is inappropriate for her, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison and fined 18 billion won on charges including bribery, to intervene in politics without a period of self-reflection. Park was specially pardoned at the end of last year and was discharged on the 24th of last month, returning to her residence in Daegu. On the other hand, some supporters argue that her support was only for her close aide Yoo.
In this regard, Professor Lee Jun-han of the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Incheon National University said, "The term political interference is not wrong," and questioned, "Whether Yoo’s candidacy is suitable for representative democracy is doubtful." He further criticized, "Apart from being born in Daegu, Yoo has never connected with Daegu residents, contributed to local autonomy, or built any achievements. It is questionable whether running for office based on someone’s endorsement is appropriate for the development of Daegu’s local autonomy and representative democracy."
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