Jang Donghyuk Holds 'Regular Visit' with Incarcerated Yoon
Yoon's Side: "What Is the Point of a Ten-Minute Regular Visit?"
Criticism Mounts: "Irresponsible Action," "Driving the Party into Ruin"
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, made a surprise visit to former President Yoon Sukyeol, but the former president's legal team expressed their discomfort. Attorney Kim Gyeri posted on her social media account on the 18th, saying, "Should we just be grateful that the meeting between a former president and the leader of the main opposition party took place quietly as a 'regular visit,' mixed in with petty criminals, without anyone knowing who was going? I don't understand the significance of spending just ten minutes in the line of sight and earshot of prison guards." She continued, "Did Leader Jang keep his promise? Did he visit just to fulfill a promise? I cannot agree with the statement, 'He is commendable for keeping his promise.'"
Attorney Kim also mentioned that in July, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik visited Seoul Southern Detention Center to meet Cho Kuk, then the head of the Emergency Response Committee of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who was incarcerated at the time. She pointed out, "Speaker Woo met Cho through a 'location change visit' when he was in the detention center. (Leader Jang), on the other hand, applied for a location change just once, and when it was denied, simply gave up and quietly went for a regular visit. He should not forget that he is the leader of the main opposition party."
Attorney Song Jin-ho also wrote on his social media account that day, "Since there was news that Leader Jang and Supreme Council member Kim Minsoo had a regular visit with President Yoon Sukyeol, I feel compelled to offer some candid advice. I already knew about the visit yesterday morning. However, what is disappointing is that the leader of the main opposition party failed to secure a location change visit and instead settled for a ten-minute regular visit."
Attorney Song added, "If the meeting with the president was not an urgent matter, then Leader Jang should have insisted on a location change visit to inform the public that the Democratic Party is oppressing the president's human rights by denying such visits. If the sudden decision to accept a regular visit and hold a meeting-something that had not been done until now-was not simply to create a news item, then it should not have been done at all."
He continued, "Recently, Leader Jang has made several strategic missteps. He should carefully examine whether there is anyone around him giving misguided strategic advice," adding, "It's time to regroup and get back on track."
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th.
Previously, on the morning of the 17th, Leader Jang announced that he had visited former President Yoon. The visit was conducted in the form of a regular meeting, with Supreme Council member Kim Minsoo accompanying him, and lasted about ten minutes. During the party leadership election, Jang had pledged, "If I become party leader, I will visit former President Yoon." After the visit, he posted on social media, "(Former President Yoon) remains steadfast, armed with the words of the Bible and prayer even in these difficult circumstances. Let us unite and fight together-to save the free Republic of Korea, which is collapsing under a left-wing administration, and to protect the peaceful lives of our people."
This visit has also sparked some criticism within the People Power Party. Assemblyman Kim Jaeseop reportedly posted in a group chat of party lawmakers, "As party leader, this was an irresponsible and inappropriate action." Assemblyman Jeong Seongguk, considered part of the pro-Han Donghoon faction, wrote on his social media, "The party leader must take responsibility for driving the People Power Party into ruin. Please stop."
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