Won Hee-ryong: "The Opposition Must Break Away from 'Asphalt Conservatives' to Win the Presidential Election"

"A presidential candidate who gains conservative support and embraces centrists must emerge"

Jeon Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, and Jeong Byeong-guk, former member of the Future United Party, attended the lecture of the People Power Party's first-term lawmakers' meeting "Myeongbulheojeon Conservative" held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 12th.
/Photo by Heo Eun-ah's office

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, argued that the People Power Party must break away from the hardline conservative base to win next year's presidential election.

On the morning of the 12th, at a lecture held at the National Assembly for the People Power Party's first-term lawmakers' meeting 'Myeongbulheojeon Conservative,' Governor Won spoke about how the party can win the presidential election, stating, "We must break away from the hardline conservative faction, which is nationalist, exclusionary, and closed-minded, often called the asphalt conservatives," adding, "There is no need to be hostile, but problems arise when one side excludes other forces." The lecture was attended by former lawmaker Jeong Byeong-guk, who was considered a young reformist along with Governor Won during the former Grand National Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) era, as well as Kim Gi-hyeon, acting party leader and floor leader, and 12 first-term lawmakers.

He pointed out, "Since the Park Geun-hye administration, the reform group within the party has disappeared," and added, "The voices of the liberal right-wing faction within the party have been effectively suppressed, and due to exclusionary politics by a specific faction, the party has become one that relies on nationalist, factional hardliners even among conservatives." He further explained, "Even after the defeat in the 20th general election, the party focused solely on consolidating the hardline support base, showing denial of former President Park's impeachment," and "As a result, the party has suffered continuous defeats over the past four years, including the recent by-elections."

He also expressed the need to field a presidential candidate who can garner conservative support while embracing moderate forces. Governor Won said, "The next president should not only aim to win but also be a president who can move forward into the future through unity," adding, "If a unifying president who minimizes the factional logic and divisions between progressives and conservatives does not emerge, the people could be divided into two opposing groups like the crowds in Seocho-dong and Gwanghwamun at any time."

He continued, "In the recent by-election, we observed who won among conservative-backed conservative candidate former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, conservative-backed moderate candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and the trusted moderate Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon," emphasizing, "In that sense, I dare say that I am the candidate who can gain conservative trust while also securing moderate support."

He advised first-term lawmakers to be able to suggest directions for reflection and reform. He said, "First-term lawmakers should move towards presenting reflection and reform tasks so that the party can break away from politics dominated only by the mainstream," and added, "In the party leadership election, they should not be bound by personal relationships or political interests but engage in fierce debate and verification based on who can manage the party in a unifying and realistic manner."

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