Yoo Seung-min "Old Conservatism Must Be Discarded... Constitution Has More Than Just Freedom"

First-term Lawmakers' Gathering 'Myeongbulheojeon Conservative' Appearance
Yeongnam Party and Impeachment Frame Should Be Thrown in the Trash
Justice, Fairness, Equality, Human Rights, and Rule of Law Are Also Important

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is attending the People Power Party's freshman meeting "Myeongbulheojeon Conservative" held at the National Assembly on the 6th, giving a lecture on "Party Reform to Gain Public Trust." Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "For over 10 years, I have advocated for 'reform conservatism' within this party. The old conservatism must truly be discarded now. The outdated image of Yeongnam Party and Gangnam Party, impeachment and deep-rooted corruption frames, and the lack of empathy and consideration for the weak, common people, the poor, and workers must be thrown into the trash."

On the 6th, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, made these remarks during a lecture at the 'Myeongbulheojeon Conservative' meeting, a gathering of first-term lawmakers from the People Power Party, drawing a clear line from some senior members who recently insisted on rejecting impeachment and called for a presidential pardon.

Yoo also stressed that "let's stop talking only about freedom," emphasizing that conservative values must change. This was also interpreted as a message aimed at Hong Joon-pyo, an independent presidential candidate from the opposition (formerly of the Liberty Korea Party). Hong has emphasized freedom, stating that "rebelling against liberal democracy is a denial of the constitution." Yoo said, "Our party is stuck on liberal democracy and free market economy. As an economist who is a strong believer in the market economy, I understand well how important the free market economy is," but added, "Overall, the values are too heavily skewed toward freedom. Like the term 'value picky eating,' let's stop selectively valuing things as in the old conservative days." Holding a book on the constitution written by broadcaster Kim Je-dong, Yoo said, "The constitution is not only about freedom. You cannot win the hearts of the people with freedom alone. The constitution contains values such as justice and fairness, freedom and equality, human rights, and the rule of law."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is attending the People Power Party's freshman meeting "Myeongbulheojeon Conservative" held at the National Assembly on the 6th, giving a lecture on "Party Reform to Gain Public Trust." Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Yoo said that in this party convention, the challenge from first-term lawmakers must prove the party's reform and innovation. Compared to lawmakers with two or more terms, first-term lawmakers who have no faction and have reformist tendencies gaining a foothold within the party could give Yoo's faction more momentum in the upcoming presidential primary. He emphasized, "We must eliminate all the old and rearm ourselves with newness and values to open the path to victory in the presidential election," adding, "We must challenge to have the power to change."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Yoo said, "If he wins the hearts of the metropolitan area, centrist voters, and the 2030 generation through change and innovation, Yoon will come on his own without needing to say more."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.