Former President Park Geun-hye made her first campaign appearance since her impeachment during a rally in Daegu on June 3, 2024 [1].
This return to the campaign trail signals a strategic effort by the People Power Party to consolidate conservative voters. The party is seeking to mobilize its base to oppose the current government and Lee Jae-myung ahead of the 2024 local elections [1].
Simultaneously, Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk (People Power Party) launched his first weekend of campaigning in his constituency within the Boryeong and Seocheon districts of Chungnam [1]. Jang said he urged his supporters to provide him with the tools necessary to challenge his political opponents.
"Give this Jang Dong-hyuk a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, everyone," Jang said [1].
Jang focused his rhetoric on the need to challenge political dominance in other regions. He specifically mentioned the need to break the "arrogance" of opponents in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, and Honam to benefit the nation [1].
To strengthen his presence in the region, Jang made five visits to the Chungcheong area during June 2024 [2]. These efforts are part of a broader party strategy to secure regional strongholds, and neutralize the influence of Lee Jae-myung in the upcoming local contests [1].
The appearance of Park Geun-hye in Daegu, a traditional conservative bastion, marks a significant shift in her public role following her removal from office [1]. By aligning with current party candidates, the former president aims to lend her remaining influence to the party's goal of electoral victory [1].
“"Give this Jang Dong-hyuk a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, everyone,"”
The reentry of Park Geun-hye into the campaign sphere suggests the People Power Party believes her image still holds significant sway over the core conservative electorate in Daegu and beyond. By pairing her symbolic return with the aggressive, combative rhetoric of candidates like Jang Dong-hyuk, the party is attempting to frame the local elections as a high-stakes battle for the ideological direction of the country.
