Yoon Seok-yeol Early Candidacy Rumors Stir... Yoon's Side "Still Considering and Working on It"

Early June Autobiography Publication or
Declaration After Visiting Hyeonchungsa Shrine
Speculation Rages Over Appearance Timing
Close Aides Firmly Deny as "Baseless"

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is expressing his intention to resign from the position of Prosecutor General as he arrives at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on March 4. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's hiatus lengthens, various speculations are rampant regarding the timing of his 'political debut.' Some say he will publish an autobiography in early June or make a political declaration while visiting the Hyeonchungsa Shrine. However, close aides of former Prosecutor General Yoon have dismissed these as 'baseless,' stating that he is 'still contemplating and making efforts.'

On the 27th, Yoon's camp told Asia Economy, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon believes it is not yet time to speak and is contemplating and making efforts to listen to the people's voices." Speculation that Yoon's political declaration is imminent seems linked to the fact that, although he initially recorded an overwhelming first-place approval rating, the gap with the second and third-place candidates has recently narrowed. Additionally, with the People Power Party's leadership election scheduled for the 11th of next month, there is a general expectation that Yoon will decide on the method of his political declaration after observing the formation of the main opposition party's leadership.

The Public Official Election Act stipulates that for presidential elections, preliminary candidate registration must be submitted in writing starting 240 days before the election day. Therefore, preliminary candidate registration for the 20th presidential election can only begin after July 12. There is also speculation that Yoon will not rush his political declaration due to concerns about violating election laws. Furthermore, since he has not resigned from his position as Prosecutor General, whose term lasts until July 24, public opinion suggests that he must pass this date to have a legitimate reason to participate in politics. A similar case to Yoon's is the 2012 18th presidential election declaration by Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party. Ahn declared his candidacy on September 19, just three months before the election, and registered as a preliminary candidate on September 24. The election day was December 19.

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