Kwon Youngguk Writes 'Min' Instead of 'Wang' on Palm, Says "This Election Is to Choose a Representative for the People"

Satire of Yoon Sukyeol's Debate During the 20th Presidential Primary
Kwon Youngguk Writes 'Min' on His Palm to Emphasize "A President for the People, Not a King"

During the presidential candidate TV debate on social issues, hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission at the KBS main building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 23rd, a live broadcast captured the image of Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party presidential candidate, with the character 'Min (民)' meaning 'people' written on the palm of his left hand, drawing viewers' attention. This scene reminded many of the time during the primary for the 20th presidential election, when Yoon Sukyeol, then the People Power Party candidate, appeared at a debate with the character 'Wang (王)' meaning 'king' written on his palm, which became a topic of discussion.

A live broadcast captured the image of Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party presidential candidate, with the character 'Min (民)' meaning 'people' written on the palm of his left hand, drawing viewers' attention. Screenshot from KBS live broadcast.

Immediately after the debate, Kwon explained to reporters the meaning behind writing 'Min' on his palm, stating, "I did this because I believe this election is about choosing someone who represents the ordinary people, speaks for the socially disadvantaged, and works for the livelihood of the people."

He added, "Three years ago, Mr. Yoon Sukyeol wrote the character for 'king' on his palm after hearing from a shaman, but I chose this character to emphasize that the presidential election is about electing a representative of the people, not a king."

Previously, during the People Power Party's presidential primary debate broadcast in October 2021, former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was then a candidate, explained that the reason he had the character for 'king' written on his palm was because a resident had written it for him.

Kwon Youngguk, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, is speaking at the 2nd candidate debate for the 21st presidential election hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, held at the KBS main building studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Regarding the debate, Kwon expressed, "I felt very disappointed that we could not discuss how issues like climate or pensions concretely affect our lives," and added, "Most of the candidates seemed to talk as if topics like the climate crisis or social integration were irrelevant to our daily lives."