"Close to Yoon Seok-yeol"... Opposition Party Leadership Candidates Rush into 'Yoon Marketing'

Emphasizing 'Connections' in Networks, Meetings, and Tendencies... "Old Politics" Criticism Also Raised

Joo Ho-young, former floor leader of the People Power Party; Kim Woong, member of the People Power Party; Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Ahead of the People Power Party's leadership election on the 11th of next month, 'Yoon Seok-yeol marketing' has once again become a hot topic. Candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring emphasized their connections with the leading presidential candidate, former Prosecutor General Yoon, expressing their ambition to recruit him and lead the opposition to victory.

Former floor leader Joo Ho-young, a legal professional, highlighted his network related to former Prosecutor General Yoon. On the 14th, appearing on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' when asked about the basis for saying "former Prosecutor General Yoon has a strong intention to work with the People Power Party," he said, "We worked together in Daegu for a long time and even lived in the same apartment for several years," adding, "I have various friends and have confirmed this through several indirect channels, which I have summarized."

He continued, "The most important thing in next year's presidential election is the unification of opposition candidates," and added, "If I become party leader, I plan to meet Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and then former Prosecutor General Yoon as soon as possible if necessary."

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong also revealed his connection with former Prosecutor General Yoon, who was his superior during his time as a prosecutor. On the 4th, appearing on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' he said, "In terms of personal connections, I am probably the closest among the current candidates to act as a bridge," adding, "The last person I met on the day I resigned as a prosecutor was him." He also said, "I heard him say, 'I'm sorry, I couldn't take care of you well,' and I told him it's not the time to worry about me but to worry about the Prosecutor General."

In particular, Lawmaker Kim emphasized the similarity in disposition with former Prosecutor General Yoon. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 7th, he claimed, "Everyone knows that the best scenario to bring Yoon Seok-yeol into the People Power Party is for Kim Woong to become party leader." He explained, "I have often voiced opinions similar to former Prosecutor General Yoon, including on prosecutorial reform," and "At least, I know I will not act disadvantageously toward him."

After declaring his candidacy for party leader on the 13th, when asked by reporters about 'former Prosecutor General Yoon's political neutrality,' he defended him, saying, "Why he was pushed into politics is entirely the fault of the Moon Jae-in administration. I believe Yoon Seok-yeol had not even 1% of political ambition or greed," adding, "He was truly someone trying to fulfill his duties as a prosecutor, but he was oppressed for all sorts of political reasons and eventually driven out."

Former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok also revealed on the 12th in an interview with Asia Economy, "Last week, I was contacted by someone confirmed to be very close to former Prosecutor General Yoon, asking to meet."

He expressed confidence that if he became party leader, a meeting with former Prosecutor General Yoon would naturally be possible. Former Supreme Council member Lee said, "If I become party leader, there is no reason for former Prosecutor General Yoon not to meet me," adding, "I said that I would meet him immediately if I became party leader."

Kim Eun-hye, a member of the People Power Party, is declaring her candidacy for the party leader election on the 14th in front of the Blue House Fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Meanwhile, on the 14th, Representative Kim Eun-hye, who officially declared her candidacy, expressed a negative stance toward the 'Yoon Seok-yeol marketing' among party leadership candidates. At a press conference held in front of the Blue House that day, regarding the internal party support for former Prosecutor General Yoon, she said, "We are talking about the future while only looking at the words of someone who has not even declared political participation yet," and pointed out, "Recruitment is good, and I agree with integration, but everything must follow a proper order."

She continued, "'Saying that I have an advantage in recruitment because I have a personal connection and that experience is needed for smooth integration' is old politics," adding, "Change and innovation, policy competition, and vision competition should come first."

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