Shin Hyun-young "If Lee Jae-myung had talked about party unity in his first words"
"I suggested mentioning the 'dead heat' in Daejeon as an idea"
Political attention is focused on the first words of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is recovering in the hospital after being attacked with a weapon. In the precedent of political terrorism, the 2006 'Shinchon stabbing' incident, former President Park Geun-hye’s first words upon waking up after recovery were "What about Daejeon?" This single phrase is credited with turning the tide of that year’s local elections and bringing victory to the Grand National Party.
On the 3rd, political circles viewed Lee’s stabbing incident as an event that could shake the general election landscape, and they believe Lee’s first words could also cause a significant impact, similar to Park’s statement. Former Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hyun-young expressed hope that Lee’s first words would carry a message of party unity. On KBS Radio’s 'Jeon Jong-cheol’s Jeonggyeok Sisa,' Shin said, "Once Lee recovers, he will likely address the public about how he plans to overcome this grave situation and carry out his political duties," adding, "If his first words extend a hand of unity to those at the end of his party, it could become a turning point."
There are already assessments that Lee’s stabbing incident has dampened the momentum of Lee Nak-yeon’s new party. Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok said on YTN Radio’s 'News King Park Ji-hoon' that "(the founding of Lee Nak-yeon’s new party) will not be easy," and "Even if the party is founded quickly, it takes about 15 to 20 days, and with Lee Jae-myung’s recovery time, this period will bring deep deliberation."
During his visit to Busan, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was stabbed with a weapon, is being transported to Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The past Shinchon stabbing is regarded as the event that solidified former President Park Geun-hye’s image as the 'Queen of Elections.' At the time, Park, then leader of the Grand National Party, went to Shinchon in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to support Oh Se-hoon, the party’s candidate for Seoul mayor in the May 31 local elections. A man in his 50s, Ji Mo, wielded a cutter knife at Park as she boarded the campaign vehicle, inflicting an 11cm laceration on her right cheek. After being transported to the hospital, Park reportedly asked, "What about Daejeon?" as soon as she regained consciousness.
This remark is credited with reversing the local election landscape and helping the Grand National Party achieve a landslide victory. At that time, the party won 12 out of 16 metropolitan mayor and governor seats, sweeping all regions except Jeju and the Honam area, where the Democratic Party was strong.
Some claim that Park’s first words during the 'Shinchon stabbing' incident, which turned the political tide?"What about Daejeon?"?were actually planned by her aides.
Yoon Yeo-jun, a political elder and former Minister of Environment, said on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' regarding Park’s situation, "When I was in charge of election operations, I received a call from Gu Sang-chan, then Park’s close aide and secretary, saying that she would soon wake up from anesthesia and that they had discussed what her first words should be."
Yoon added, "I said it should be short and concise, and Gu suggested something related to Daejeon," explaining, "At that time, Daejeon was a very close race and the focus of attention." He continued, "Gu said, 'What about Daejeon?' and I said, 'That’s it, announce it that way.'"
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