On the 22nd, at the hunger strike site in the National Assembly Rotunda Hall, former President Park Geun-hye, who returned after asking Representative Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party, who had been on hunger strike for 8 days, to stop, is seen with Representative Jang's eyes welling up as he clasped hands. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The protest site in the National Assembly main building's Rotunda Hall, where People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyuk began his hunger strike on the 15th demanding "Special Prosecutor for the Unification Church and Nomination Fees," has seen a variety of individuals with different inclinations visit.

For the first three days, with no visitors other than People Power Party officials and supporters, he was engaged in a "lone struggle." During this time, Representative Bae Hyun-jin, a member of the "Han Dong-hoon faction," appeared and harshly criticized him, stating, "Nothing can be gained by starving to death," "A hunger strike will not quell public anger," and "This hunger strike, started to avoid the correct answer of withdrawing the disciplinary action against former leader Han Dong-hoon, will only be met with mockery from the Democratic Party."

Generals from the Enemy Camp Visit the Protest Site... "The Representative Must Act as the Commander"

However, on the fourth day of the hunger strike, after medical staff officially recommended suspending the hunger strike for the first time due to Representative Jang's rapidly deteriorating health, unexpected visitors began to appear one by one.

On the 20th, the sixth day, former Representative Yoo Seong-min, who had consistently been the most critical of Representative Jang's leadership, appeared and emphasized the need for unity, stating, "Even if there are differences on some issues, now is the time for conservatives to come together," "The Representative's struggle is just," and "Representative Jang is someone who should play a central role in the party. He must not harm his health." He held Representative Jang's hand in a gesture of reconciliation.

The following day, the 21st, Representative Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party visited the protest site. Lee Jun-seok expressed his respect, saying, "This is a very by-the-book hunger strike. I respect your struggle to uphold principles even at the cost of your health." During a meeting of about 20 minutes, they discussed "practical joint struggle measures" to achieve the "twin special prosecutor investigations" and strongly suggested the possibility of inter-party solidarity, saying, "To strengthen cooperation between the two parties, the Representative must act as the commander."

"Even if the Special Prosecutor Demands Don't Pass, That's OK"... Representative Jang Achieves a Greater Gain

The general consensus in political circles is that the "twin special prosecutor" demand, the goal of Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's hunger strike, has a very low chance of passing into law and being realized due to the opposition of the Democratic Party and the possibility of a presidential veto. However, even if the demand for special prosecutors is not met, it is being evaluated that Representative Jang has already gained significant political benefits from his eight-day hunger strike.

The hunger strike has had the effect of uniting the People Power Party, which had been divided by the expulsion of Han Dong-hoon and internal factional conflicts. It has also created an opportunity and a platform for the fragmented conservative-right forces to unite under the banner of "anti-Democratic Party" and "anti-Lee Jae-myung," bringing together influential figures within the party such as Yoo Seong-min and Ahn Cheol-soo, with whom he had previously clashed, as well as external figure Representative Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party.

Furthermore, by demonstrating "decisive leadership" that protects the values of the conservative right in times of crisis, beyond being a mere opposition party leader, through extreme struggle that gambled with his life, a foundation has been laid for him to play a central role for the conservative right in the future.

Consequently, Representative Jang's hunger strike is analyzed to have achieved success in the larger domain of "reunifying the conservative-right camp," beyond the practical goal of "realizing the legislation."

Medical Staff Warn of Potential Cardiovascular Issues and Brain Damage

However, on the 22nd, the eighth day of the hunger strike, Representative Jang was so weak that he could barely open his eyes. Medical staff strongly warned of potential cardiovascular problems due to severe dehydration and hypoglycemia, as well as possible brain damage from the cessation of nutrient intake.

Severe hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalances had occurred due to the eight days of extreme fasting, and during this process, Representative Jang showed signs of cognitive decline, such as an inability to accurately perceive his surroundings or severely slurred speech. Therefore, medical staff diagnosed that continuing the hunger strike could lead to irreversible after-effects such as dementia and urged its immediate cessation.

It is known that former President Park Geun-hye, upon hearing this news on the evening of the 21st, took Representative Jang's will to fight and his health condition very seriously. The next morning, as news spread that former President Park was leaving her Daegu residence for the National Assembly, reporters and supporters flocked to the site, creating an atmosphere of tension around the protest area.

Upon arriving at the protest site, former President Park advised Representative Jang to stop his hunger strike and recover his health, saying, "You have shown your sincerity sufficiently, so please stop the hunger strike and rest." She repeatedly urged him to prioritize his health, considering his significant political weight.

The Actions of a Great Tree Are Beautiful

After remaining at the protest site for about 10 minutes, former President Park turned back as she was leaving the Rotunda Hall and approached Representative Jang, firmly clasping his hands. During this exchange, Representative Jang, overcome with emotion, was seen with tearful eyes and reportedly replied, "I will earnestly uphold your intentions."

On the 22nd, former President Park Geun-hye's visit to the National Assembly was the move of a great tree (巨木) seeking to provide legitimacy to a fellow politician facing isolation and attack from both supporters and internal opposition, due to the "martial law apology" press conference and the expulsion of Han Dong-hoon, and to reorganize the fragmented conservative order.

Specifically, the fact that former President Park, after finishing her greetings and walking away, turned back to clasp Representative Jang's hands sent a far more powerful message than any lengthy political rhetoric. With this single, restrained gesture, former President Park acknowledged the legitimacy of the party leadership spearheaded by Representative Jang and simultaneously neutralized the justification of the opposing forces attempting to destabilize him.

This action by former President Park demonstrated her undeniable presence in uniting the divided conservative forces without direct intervention, and by opening a path for Representative Jang to conclude his struggle with a sense of justification, it once again proved her political acumen and gravitas, for which she was known as the "Queen of Elections."

The fact that former President Park, who had been refraining from public appearances and political statements and staying in seclusion, broke her silence with such an unexpected and surprising move is indeed significant, as it has created an opportunity for the conservative right to reunite and pool their strength centered around the People Power Party ahead of the upcoming June local elections.

The Left Grows by Feeding on the Division of the Right

Meanwhile, Kim Min-soo, a supreme council member of the People Power Party, recently appeared on a YouTube broadcast (Channel A's "Radio Show Political Signal," etc.) and urged supporters who were criticizing the leadership's actions to be patient and trust them.

"The path to the destination is not always a straight line."

"If there is a large rock in the way, we must move it; if there is an insurmountable obstacle, we must go around it."

"Although it may seem like we are going around or standing still right now, this is also part of the process of moving towards victory. Therefore, rather than immediately deciding whether to 'support' or 'not support' each decision of the leadership, please believe in the final destination we will reach and continue to lend your strength."

This was a plea to party members and supporters who had reacted strongly, such as withdrawing their support or leaving the party, following Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's recent remarks about martial law. It was an earnest request not to throw stones at Representative Jang and the party leadership, who were already facing a difficult path due to obstruction from the "Han Dong-hoon faction" and pressure from seasoned senior party members to "shift towards a moderate line."

It also served as an indirect warning that the pure anger of conservative-right supporters could become nourishment for the growing power of the left and anti-national forces.

Is the Dynamism of Commoners Not Sometimes Necessary?

The characteristic of the conservative right is that they prioritize principle over practicality, keep their word, and possess a genetic makeup that abhors betrayal. In a word, they are "nobles."

However, unable to escape the shackles of nobles who are strict about principles and standards, they are often argumentative and quickly turn away without a second thought if something deviates from their principles and standards.

This is why there are many "factions" within the conservative right. There are those who can never forgive the past endorsement or acquiescence of former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment; those who think that calling President Yoon Suk-yeol's December 3rd martial law a "proclamation of enlightenment" and shouting "Yoon Again" is "excessive"; and those who believe that if you don't acknowledge the fact of election fraud, you are not on our side...

Of course, there are factions within the left, including the Democratic Party. However, they know how to unite in the face of practicality. They believe that no matter how much they talk, it all amounts to empty rhetoric when faced with the practical gain of "power." They unite and pool their strength for practicality. Therefore, they possess the dynamism characteristic of commoners.

The current reality where the conservative right is struggling and unable to contend with them is all due to the shackles they have created and are now bearing. Even if the People Power Party and other conservative-right parties unite internally and with other parties, if the supporters are scattered, it will all be for naught, not only dooming the upcoming local elections, but also making the prospect of regaining power even more distant.

Shouldn't we, the conservative right, also unite our strength now? To protect our president, to save innocent and loyal soldiers, and to protect the Republic of Korea, do we not sometimes need the practical calculations and the dynamism of commoners, similar to the left?

By Park Hye-soo, Reporter