[Political X-File] President's Son, Daughter, and Son-in-Law's 'Yeouido Dream'

(32) Challenges of Former Presidents Park Jeong-hee and Kim Dae-jung's Children
Attention on Former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun's Sons and Sons-in-law
Presidential Halo Effect and Political Burden, a Double-edged Sword

Editor's Note‘Political X-Files’ is a series project that delivers ‘unprecedented stories’ recorded in the election results and incidents of Korean politics.

Those who have observed the mechanisms of state governance from the pinnacle of power. How should we view the political challenges of the president’s sons, daughters, and sons-in-law? The term ‘political golden spoon’ carries many implications. Many politicians make strenuous efforts to cross the threshold of Yeouido.

These individuals challenge from a different starting line than ordinary politicians. In fact, the political challenges of presidential families are closely related to the so-called ‘halo effect.’ The title of being someone’s daughter, son, or son-in-law itself can be a plus factor in political standing.

In Korean society, there is a surprisingly long history of political challenges by presidential families. Not only have they worn the gold badge at the National Assembly in Yeouido, but there have also been cases of entering the Blue House. Former President Park Geun-hye, daughter of former President Park Jeong-hee, is a representative example.

Six family members of former presidents took a commemorative photo after viewing the special exhibition "Stories of Our Presidents" held at the Blue House Main Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 29th. Attendees at the event included Kim Hyun-chul, Chairman of the Kim Young-sam Presidential Foundation (son of former President Kim Young-sam), Mrs. Jo Hye-ja (daughter-in-law of former President Syngman Rhee), Yoon Sang-gu, CEO of Dongseo Corporation (son of former President Yoon Bo-seon), Kim Hong-eop, Chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center (son of former President Kim Dae-jung), Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Park Ji-man, CEO of EG (son of former President Park Chung-hee), and Noh Jae-heon, Chairman of the East Asia Culture Center (son of former President Roh Tae-woo). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Born in 1952, former President Park Geun-hye’s entry into Yeouido was relatively late. She succeeded in entering the National Assembly through the 1998 by-election. What was the background for her election as President of the Republic of Korea in 2012?

The general analysis is that it was not unrelated to the halo effect of former President Park Jeong-hee. She received enthusiastic support mainly from the middle-aged and older generations with strong ‘Park Jeong-hee nostalgia,’ ultimately becoming the new owner of the Blue House.

When discussing the political challenges of presidential children, one cannot omit the sons of former President Kim Dae-jung. He had three sons, all of whom have experience as members of the National Assembly. One of them is a current member of the National Assembly.

First, the eldest son, Kim Hong-il, was a three-term member of the National Assembly. The second son, Kim Hong-eob, also succeeded in entering the National Assembly through the 2007 by-election. The third son, Kim Hong-gul, is a current member of the 21st National Assembly affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea.

Among the presidential children who received the most attention while their father was in office is Kim Hyun-chul, a special professor at Kookmin University Graduate School of Political Studies, who was called the ‘Little President.’ Professor Kim Hyun-chul played many roles around the political sphere even after former President Kim Young-sam’s retirement.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He often served as an advisor to major politicians. In major presidential elections, the positions he took and whom he supported were focal points of interest. In the 2004 17th general election, he even prepared to run for the National Assembly himself but gave up the plan.

Born in 1959, what role will Professor Kim Hyun-chul play in the future? It is an intriguing point to see what his role will be in the 2024 general election. Considering his age, a smooth political landing is not impossible, but whether the political environment will open up space for his activities remains to be seen.

Among the presidential families, who will be the new figure challenging entry into Yeouido in 2024? The children of former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, and Moon Jae-in are distant from political activities. Former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk-yeol have no children.

Then, will the political challenges of former President Kim Dae-jung’s children be the last political chapter for presidential families?

Regarding the 2024 general election, the person attracting attention is lawyer Kwak Sang-eon, son-in-law of former President Roh Moo-hyun. While the son of former President Roh Moo-hyun distances himself from politics, his son-in-law has directly entered politics. He has not only knocked on the door of Yeouido but also has experience running in elections.

In the 2020 21st general election, he challenged the constituency of Boeun, Okcheon, Yeongdong, and Goesan in Chungbuk and secured 41.4% of the vote. Although he did not win, he recorded a meaningful vote share in what is considered a difficult district.

On April 9, 2020, the early voting station for the 21st National Assembly election was set up at the G check-in counter in the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Lawyer Kwak Sang-eon is currently the Democratic Party’s district chairman in Jongno, known as ‘Political No. 1 district.’ Due to the symbolism of being former President Roh Moo-hyun’s son-in-law, many key Democratic Party figures hesitate to run in Jongno, showing the considerable halo effect.

It is not that competitors lack confidence against Kwak Sang-eon, but facing the son-in-law of former President Roh Moo-hyun itself is a political burden. Whether Kwak Sang-eon will actually secure the nomination for next year’s general election is uncertain.

Both ruling and opposition parties recognize the political symbolism of Jongno. They cannot help but deliberate on putting forward a winning card. Depending on the general election dynamics, the candidates running in Jongno may change. A presidential candidate might challenge Jongno again, or Kwak Sang-eon might overcome internal competition and secure the nomination.

The political challenges of presidents’ sons, daughters, and sons-in-law are an interesting point to watch. In fact, the parties themselves bear significant political burdens. The tinted glasses surrounding the halo effect inevitably follow. Unless they perform exceptionally well, it is difficult to receive favorable evaluations as politicians.

A former president who is someone’s father and someone’s father-in-law. To surpass his political achievements requires several times more effort and results than other politicians. While they may start ahead of others when entering politics, after entering, they must carry a politically heavy burden and pioneer their own political path.