1998 Kia Sephia Changing the "Manual Shaft" on th

Hello,
I have a 98 Kia Sephia with an automatic and over 230,000 miles on it. Over the last year, we have noticed that the gear shift was getting "stiff, " and at times it would not go into gear until you applied pressure to the shifter. Over the summer, it was left at a family members house for 2 months, and has now seized and I could not move the gear shifter. I did manage to get it to move a little, but overall, it is still frozen in Park. I have isolated this "Manual Shaft" that seems to be very rusty and not moving. The linkage is moving, and only stopped by this manual shaft. I know I can buy an assembly from the dealer, and in the book it says to change the shaft while in Neutral. It seems to be a pretty easy fix, if I could just get it shifted into neutral.
Now this is my problem. I can not get the car out of Park. So.
Question # 1 If I can not get it into Neutral, can I still change this manual shaft out?

Question # 2 Is it possible that I could pull the old shaft out IN PARK, put the new one down in the transmission and shift down by 2 gears. Then pull the new shaft out again and reallign it once I have the transmission into the Neutral position, then go on with the repair by the book from there?

Thank you so much for your time on this. I hope that made sense. If you need clarification, please ask.
I hope we can get this little car moving again! We really need it right now!
Thanks again!

KnoxvegasNurse