South Korean Conservatives Suffer 'Red Complex,' Shun Party Color

In a curious turn of events, candidates from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) are conspicuously ditching the party's official color, red, in their campaign efforts for the upcoming local elections. This 'red complex,' as the Hankyoreh terms it, is a stark contrast to the opposition Democratic Party, which proudly displays its blue branding. It's a peculiar situation where a party's own symbol seems to have become a liability.

The PPP, which adopted red as its symbolic color in 2012 under the Saenuri Party banner as a move towards image reform, now finds its candidates opting for neutral colors like white or black for their campaign attire. This includes prominent figures like Representative Choo Kyung-ho and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young, who were seen in white padding jackets instead of the expected red. Even in the conservative stronghold of Daegu, candidates are shying away from red, a far cry from the party's historical association with the color.

This avoidance is particularly noteworthy when compared to the Democratic Party's consistent use of blue. While the Democrats seem to embrace their party's identity, PPP candidates appear hesitant to overtly associate themselves with the party, let alone its color. The article draws a parallel to the classic tale of Hong Gildong, who couldn't even call his father 'father,' suggesting a similar inability for PPP candidates to openly claim their party affiliation.

The strategy seems to be one of relying on individual candidate appeal rather than party branding, perhaps hoping to distance themselves from any potential negative perceptions associated with the conservative party or its color. The Hankyoreh questions what kind of party emerges when its members are reluctant to even acknowledge its existence, especially when the party leader himself is abroad during a crucial nomination period. This situation raises significant questions about the PPP's identity and its approach to the upcoming elections, where it appears to be passively waiting for the opposition's mistakes rather than actively promoting its own platform.