Journalist tells Park Geun-hye to drop 'Queen of Elections' title, says she hurts ruling party

Prominent journalist Cho Gab-je has called for the revocation of former President Park Geun-hye's moniker, "Queen of Elections," arguing her recent campaigning for the People Power Party (PPP) is detrimental to the party.

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She dug her own grave through party division and impeachment.

Cho stated on a radio interview that Park's legacy includes electoral failures, such as mismanaging nominations in 2016, which led to the party becoming the second-largest, and ultimately her own impeachment. "She dug her own grave through party division and impeachment," Cho asserted, questioning why the media continues to label her the "Queen of Elections."

He further challenged Park to clarify her positions on critical issues, including the alleged martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk-yeol and the "election fraud conspiracy theories" plaguing the PPP. Cho emphasized that taking a clear stance on these matters is a politician's duty, especially when supporting candidates like Chu Kyung-ho, who is reportedly facing trial for charges related to martial law duties.

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What do you think about Yoon Suk-yeol's illegal martial law, and what do you think about the election fraud conspiracy theories that have thrown the People Power Party into chaos? Isn't it a politician's duty to clarify these two points before engaging in election campaigning?

Cho suggested Park's involvement is primarily to aid a specific faction within the PPP, inadvertently strengthening the "far-right judgment" narrative. He believes this narrative, initially a key theme, was overshadowed by anti-government sentiment but has resurfaced with Park's appearance. This, he argued, alienates the "rational conservatives and moderates" who hold the casting vote in the election, potentially allowing the opposition Democratic Party to frame the election as a "martial law judgment" and hindering the PPP's chances. Cho concluded that Park's campaigning has effectively reset the election landscape to its initial "far-right judgment" framing, blurring the PPP's potential to gain momentum.

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By appearing like this, the Democratic Party can say 'judgment on martial law,' and that could resonate. The People Power Party had a chance to gain a final spurt, but that has been blurred and reset.