South Korean Politician Jang Dong-hyuk Appears to Distance Himself from Rival Hwang Kyo-ahn at Protest

A notable moment unfolded at a protest in Seoul's Olympic Park when Jang Dong-hyuk, a leader of the People Power Party, encountered Hwang Kyo-ahn, head of the Free and Unified Party. The two politicians met amidst demonstrators holding signs such as "Let's change the Blue House into a disposal bus!" and "Liberation Day Olympic Park Day: Reclaiming the Right to Vote."

Video footage shows Jang Dong-hyuk, who was seated among protesters, shaking hands with Hwang Kyo-ahn after bowing his head. However, the interaction took a turn as Jang Dong-hyuk appeared to pull his hand away, adjust his protest sign, and then turn his back to Hwang Kyo-ahn. While tidying a banner that read "Who stole my vote?", Jang Dong-hyuk was handed a large Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) by someone nearby and began waving it.

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When Hwang Kyo-ahn came, (Jang Dong-hyuk) stood up.

Hwang Kyo-ahn responded by standing and making a "fighting" gesture with his left hand towards Jang Dong-hyuk, who acknowledged him with a nod and a smile. Hwang Kyo-ahn then departed after shouting a slogan related to "election fraud." The entire encounter lasted less than a minute. A supporter of Jang Dong-hyuk, filming the scene, remarked, "When Hwang Kyo-ahn came, (Jang Dong-hyuk) stood up," seemingly pleased by Hwang Kyo-ahn's swift departure.

This incident follows previous interactions between the two politicians. In January, Hwang Kyo-ahn visited Jang Dong-hyuk during a hunger strike. Last November, Jang Dong-hyuk publicly supported Hwang Kyo-ahn after the latter's arrest on charges of inciting rebellion, stating, "The immoral regime arrested former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn today to cover up the abandonment of the appeal in the Daejang-dong case. It's war. We are Hwang Kyo-ahn. Let's unite and fight."

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The immoral regime arrested former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn today to cover up the abandonment of the appeal in the Daejang-dong case. It's war. We are Hwang Kyo-ahn. Let's unite and fight.