Yoon Seok-yeol Keeping 'Distance' from People Power Party?… Jin Joong-kwon Says "Means He Wants to Stay Outside More"

Declared Different from People Power Party's Mayor Omnipotence
Independent Actions Including Visiting Dobong-gu in the Morning to Review Real Estate Issues

On the afternoon of the 12th, Yoon Seok-yeol, a preliminary candidate, visited a Korean set meal restaurant near Samgak Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and met with the owner couple to listen to their difficulties. [Provided by Yoon Seok-yeol preliminary candidate's office. Resale and DB prohibited] [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the former Prosecutor General who has completed registration as a preliminary candidate for the next presidential election, appears to be distancing himself from the People Power Party and focusing on activities outside the party for the time being.

According to political circles on the 13th, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon met with Yoon on the 9th. Professor Jin appeared on a radio show the previous evening and said, "(After meeting Yoon) it seems he has no immediate intention to join the People Power Party," adding, "I understand that he plans to play a role in rallying the centrist voters from outside and eventually unify with the People Power Party candidate." He continued, "I took it to mean he wants to stay outside for now," and relayed that Yoon said his stance differs from the market fundamentalism or libertarianism advocated by the People Power Party.

Yoon also expressed a willingness to meet anytime with Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party and considered one of the pillars of the 'third zone' camp, indicating he will not join the party immediately. When Professor Jin asked Kim if he was willing to meet Yoon, Kim reportedly replied, "If he calls, I will meet him," and Professor Jin predicted, "The two will probably meet."

Since declaring his political participation, Yoon has been pursuing a solo path by continuing his public opinion listening campaign titled "Yoon Seok-yeol Listens." On the morning of the same day, Yoon visited the Dobong District in Seoul, where he met residents directly to hear their concerns about real estate. Dobong District is one of the areas in Seoul where prices have risen the most. According to the monthly apartment price statistics by KB Real Estate Live On, the average apartment sale price per 3.3㎡ in Dobong District increased by 41.3% in one year. On site, Yoon met with residents who bought homes in a panic buying situation, tenants suffering from soaring jeonse (key money deposit) prices, and also listened to the voices of real estate agents.

Meanwhile, controversy arose when a public opinion poll that showed high support for Yoon was suddenly halted. Yoon’s campaign stated on the day, "There were media reports that the PNR Research poll, commissioned weekly by Money Today The300 and the Future Korea Institute, was abruptly stopped due to protests from fervent Democratic Party supporters," and raised concerns, saying, "Among various polls conducted with different methods and questions, the one where Yoon was leading was suddenly discontinued." They added, "This destroys the very rules of fair competition," and insisted, "Responsible organizations such as the National Election Commission must thoroughly investigate the facts and hold those responsible accountable."

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