Park's letter from prison rocks political circle

Yoo Young-ha, former President Park Geun-hye's lawyer, holds up her letter from prison at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

Jailed ex-president calls for unified conservative force to win April election

By Kang Seung-woo

Impeached former President Park Geun-hye's letter from prison is creating a buzz in political circles as she calls for a unified conservative bloc ahead of the upcoming general election.

While liberal parties denounce the move as “regency,” it remains to be seen whether her call will really help the conservatives to intensify solidarity and win the April 15 poll.

On Wednesday, Park's lawyer Yoo Young-ha unveiled her handwritten letter asking divided conservatives, including her staunch supporters who are symbolized as waving the national flag, to come together around the “existing opposition heavyweight” and win the election because the current administration is incompetent, hypocritical and "self-righteous."

The “existing opposition heavyweight” apparently refers to the main opposition Unified Future Party (UFP), which was launched last month after a merger between the Liberty Korea Party and two minor conservative parties.

The UFP, which has roots in Park's Saenuri Party, welcomed the letter, describing it as a “righteous decision.”

“I very much appreciate that Park made patriotic remarks urging the opposition bloc to join forces in order to withstand threats to liberal democracy,” said Kim Hyong-o, the head of the party's candidate nomination committee, after the letter was made public.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the UFP chairman who also served as prime minister and justice minister under the Park administration, said, Thursday, her letter was a pleasant present for those who hope 'democratic forces' will win in the general election.

“The message reminds us of the importance of unity to judge the Moon Jae-in administration,” he told the party's Supreme Council meeting.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and other liberal minor parties strongly criticized Park and the letter, claiming she is attempting to flagrantly meddle in the election with no regret for her wrongdoings.

“Park's prison letter is a terrible declaration of her political comeback,” DPK floor leader Rep. Lee In-young said during a party meeting, Thursday.

“Rather than repenting her political corruption scandal, the former president has stepped up to divide the public again despite being impeached.”

Lee also lashed out at Hwang, who said his party would live up to Park by snatching an election win. “Her remarks clearly show the creation of the UFP just amounts to nothing but the return of the Saenuri Party,” he added.

Justice Party Chairwoman Rep. Sim Sang-jeung said her party will request that the prosecution investigate Park for violating Election Law.

“What is more ridiculous is the UFP's responses, which make them seem like they are engaging in a competition to show who is more loyal to Park,” she said, adding that it is evidence proving that the UFP is becoming Park's party.

However, whether her letter can help ensure the conservative bloc a victory in the election remains to be seen, as unification with other conservative minor pro-Park parties may trigger conflicts in the nomination process.

Immediately after Park's letter was made public, the newly launched pro-Park Liberty Republic Party said it would “follow her wishes.” However, it and the UFP are already showing conflict over how to process the candidate nomination if merged.

Some political analysts also predict Park's influence could drive centrist voters away from the conservative big tent and toward the ruling liberal bloc.

Park was sworn in as the president in 2013 and served until being impeached in 2017. She is serving a prison term of more than 20 years after being convicted of corruption.