Jeon Du-hwan, Park Geun-hye, Yoon Seok-yeol... Should we hang their photos at the National Power party headquarters?
A debate arises within South Korea's National Power party regarding the exhibition of former presidents' photos, particularly those with controversial legacies.
The National Power party in South Korea is embroiled in controversy over the display of photos of former presidents at its headquarters, primarily triggered by far-right influencer Ko Seong-guk's suggestion to include portraits of Jeon Du-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Park Geun-hye, and Yoon Seok-yeol among others. Currently, the only figures represented are Lee Seung-man, Park Chung-hee, and Kim Young-sam, reflecting a selective historical narrative that aligns with the party’s identity but omits certain controversial figures that are part of its lineage. The party leadership has distanced itself from the proposal, asserting that no formal discussions on this matter have occurred, but the underlying issues of party identity and historical legacy continue to fuel public debate.
As of mid-October, only the images of Lee Seung-man, Park Chung-hee, and Kim Young-sam are displayed within the party headquarters and related spaces, a decision made in 2017 by then-leader Hong Jun-pyo, who emphasized the contributions of these presidents to the nation’s founding, modernization, and democratization. Notably, of the three presidents currently displayed, only Kim Young-sam is associated with the National Power party, which traces its roots back to the Democratic Justice Party of Jeon Du-hwan's military regime, raising questions about the historical authenticity and continuity of the party's legacy. This juxtaposition is further highlighted when compared with the opposing Democratic Party, which has showcased photos of its leaders Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in in various party locations.