Presidential Bid Announcement by Yoon Seok-yeol: "Regime Change is the People's Aspiration, I Will Devote Everything" (Comprehensive)

Ready to Devote to the People and Nation's Future
X-Files, Never Seen... "Willing to Undergo Unlimited Moral Verification"
People Power Party Draws a Line on Joining Despite Philosophical Similarities

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is answering questions from the press at a press conference for his presidential candidacy held at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 29th. 2021.6.29 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] 'Politician Yoon Seok-yeol' has finally taken his first step. Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol held a press conference on the 29th at the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, officially declaring his political participation by stating, "We must reclaim the sovereignty of the people that has been taken away." Yoon's declaration to enter politics came 118 days after his resignation on March 4th, following conflicts over the current administration's prosecution reforms and personnel matters.

In his declaration, Yoon said, "I will start from the great people and their common sense. Using common sense as a weapon, I will resolutely restore the values of freedom democracy, the rule of law, and fairness that transcend eras and generations," effectively announcing his presidential bid.

He criticized, "This administration not only privatizes power but also seeks to extend its rule to continue plundering the people," adding, "They are trying to strip freedom from freedom democracy, which is the foundation of our constitution." He continued, "Freedom sets the limits of government power. Therefore, democracy without freedom is not true democracy but dictatorship and war," and questioned, "What kind of democracy does this administration want? We absolutely cannot stand by and watch them."

He further stated, "If the regime change is not achieved, the country will become one where demagogues who call deterioration and destruction reform, and corrupt interest cartels who call dictatorship and despotism democracy, will run rampant more than now," expressing, "It will truly become a completely corrupt Korea." Yoon said, "Failing to meet the people's desire for regime change would be an unforgivable sin before the people and history," and declared, "I dare say I am ready to dedicate and devote everything for the future of the people and the nation."

After reading the declaration, during a Q&A session with reporters, Yoon said he has never seen the 'Yoon Seok-yeol X-file' and stated, "Anyone running for an elected office should undergo unlimited scrutiny regarding their ability and morality." However, he added, "Such scrutiny should be based on reasonable grounds. If it is baseless, one-sided slander from unknown sources, the people will judge accordingly."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is answering questions from reporters after declaring his presidential candidacy on the 29th at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul. 2021.6.29 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding his past statement that "My mother-in-law has never caused even a 10 won loss to anyone," he clarified that it was not true. Yoon said, "I never made such a statement, so I don't know how it came out," and added, "Regardless of whether they are relatives or hold any position, I have lived with the belief that there should be no exceptions in investigations and trials."

He also left open the possibility of joining the People Power Party. While saying, "Philosophically, I share the same thoughts as the People Power Party," he said it was difficult to answer specific questions about participating in the presidential primary after joining.

Regarding concerns about the prosecution's political neutrality, he responded, "Although it is not customary, I think in special cases it is a matter for the people to decide."

On the question of pardoning two former presidents, he said, "This is not something I can clearly speak about; it is a matter for the incumbent president to decide. However, many people feel sorry for the long-term detention of the two former presidents, who are elderly and female, and I also somewhat empathize with the people's feelings," he said.

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