Former President Park Geun-hye Attends Workshop…Why?

Former President Park Geun-hye's attendance at the People Power Party workshop drew significant attention both inside and outside the party. Political commentator Song Guk-geon interpreted that her decision to attend, despite essentially having left politics, was due to her assessment that the current situation is extremely precarious.

It appears that former President Park recognized the lack of a central figure and ongoing conflicts within the People Power Party, and moreover, felt a strong sense of crisis that the nation's identity was being undermined.

In her workshop speech, former President Park Geun-hye emphasized, "When fighting an enemy, there is no enemy more frightening than our internal division," urging party unity. She continued, "While various opinions can arise within a political party, we must not hate or deny each other," expressing concern over internal party conflicts.

This message is interpreted as a call for the party to unite around its leadership to combat external adversaries, and an appeal for the party not to lose its center in a chaotic situation.

In particular, she warned that internal division could be a greater threat than any external enemy, requesting harmony and cooperation from party members.

Former President Park Geun-hye's remark, "centered on the leadership," is interpreted as empowering Jang Dong-hyuk, who currently leads the party. Commentator Song Guk-geon analyzed this message from former President Park as an expression of support for the Jang Dong-hyuk system.

This can also be seen as a signal of support for the movement to reform the party centered on party member sovereignty. Former President Park's message is expected to foster party harmony and strengthen leadership.

Former President Park Geun-hye mentioned the push for a special prosecutor for the National Election Commission (NEC), stating, "I believe the NEC special prosecutor is a result achieved by the leadership and all of you fighting together." This emphasized that the party can produce tangible results through struggle.

She added, "It is a very important task to protect the foundation of the country to ensure that all citizens have faith in our country's election system and can cast their precious votes with confidence." She stressed that restoring trust in the election system is crucial for safeguarding the nation's foundation.

This statement appears to underscore the party's need to demonstrate strong will and struggle on specific issues, suggesting that such struggle is a vital process for earning public trust.

Former President Park Geun-hye concluded her workshop speech by asking, "Can I trust you all to move forward?" In response, People Power Party lawmakers responded with a standing ovation, showing their willingness to accept her message.

This scene can be interpreted as former President Park's message resonating deeply within the party, and a moment when party members reaffirmed their commitment to her intentions.

The Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized former President Park Geun-hye's attendance at the People Power Party workshop. Representative Han Byung-do harshly condemned it as "truly a bizarre return to the past," and Representative Park Sung-joon vehemently criticized, asking, "Are they asking the mastermind of state affairs manipulation for reconstruction, and leaning on the nostalgia of insurrection? Is that the future of conservatism?"

The Democratic Party characterized former President Park's attendance at the workshop as a regression and a step backward, criticizing the People Power Party for being trapped in the past. This is interpreted as the Democratic Party's intention to use Park's attendance as a pretext for political attack to pressure the People Power Party.

Through this workshop attendance, the Democratic Party reinforced the narrative that the People Power Party is unable to move forward with innovation and the future, remaining entangled in the past, and continued its political offensive.

Commentator Song Guk-geon predicted that there is a considerable possibility that the New Reform Party will voluntarily close its doors. Currently, the New Reform Party has Lee Jun-seok and two other proportional representation lawmakers, but its regional base is weak, and there is a possibility that the party will effectively disappear in future political realignments.

Commentator Song Guk-geon analyzed that former emergency committee chairman Han Dong-hoon would lose all his current political capital the moment he creates a new party. It appears Han Dong-hoon will not establish a new party as he still harbors lingering hopes of rejoining the People Power Party.

Commentator Song Guk-geon reported that Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, furiously warned of a defamation lawsuit and a complaint to the Korea Communications Commission regarding remarks made by journalist Kim Jun-il, who mentioned 'Minhyukdang' (People's Revolutionary Party) in connection with Cho Kuk. Cho Kuk's side claims the remarks constitute clear dissemination of false information and has announced legal action.

Commentator Song Guk-geon analyzed that the Cho Kuk Innovation Party intends to align itself with the 'Group A Left.' This is aimed at the defeat of non-Lee faction figures such as Kang Deuk-gu and Lee Eon-ju, and demonstrates an intention to cooperate with the pro-Lee mainstream.

Commentator Song Guk-geon stated that some within the pro-Lee faction are attributing the decline in Chairman Lee Jae-myung's approval ratings to policy chief Kim Yong-beom and are demanding his dismissal. This appears to be a situation where a scapegoat is being sought to rebound Lee Jae-myung's approval ratings.

In particular, responsibility for real estate policy and leveraged ETF policy is being raised, and Kim Yong-beom is being pointed out as Lee Jae-myung's weakness.

The pro-Lee faction appears to be attempting a change of atmosphere through the replacement of the policy chief to recover approval ratings.