Voices of Far-right Groups Strong in Lkp Leadership Race

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) will hold its national convention Feb. 27 to choose a new leader and members of its Supreme Council.

However, it is being criticized for attracting ultra-right wing supporters and focusing more on satisfying them rather than promoting the individual candidate's political vision. The candidates for the leadership race continue to make controversial remarks purportedly seeking to impress so-called "Taegukgi troops," a group that allegedly supports impeached former President Park Geun-hye. The group has been expanding its presence after calling for the "nullification" of Park's impeachment for years, while actively participating in anti-government protests and political gatherings

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, a candidate for the leadership race, said during a televised debate Tuesday that "I don't agree with the validity of the impeachment of former President Park." He hadn't given an opinion on this until a few days ago, and the remarks were seen as showing he is still one of Park's supporters. Later, former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Rep. Kim Jin-tae criticized him, saying Hwang should have spoken on the matter earlier.

Kim Joon-kyo, a candidate for the Supreme Council, also made controversial remarks at a joint stumping session Monday, saying, "Moon Jae-in is not a president, but rather a betrayer of the country. Let's impeach Moon Jae-in." He later apologized for not "respecting other candidates" after he was criticized, but attracted large public attention nonetheless.

Their remarks are likely affected by the extreme group's political mobilization, according to political insiders. The stumping session held in Daejeon and Daegu was attended by a large number of Taegukgi troops who have...