Yoon Contemplates 'August Bus' While Choi May Arrive at the Station First

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung's Entry into People Power Party Expected to Gain Momentum

Former Auditor General Choi Jae-hyung is giving a hand salute at the gravesite of the 46 Cheonan Ship heroes at the National Daejeon National Cemetery in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, on the 12th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung met with Kwon Young-se, Chairman of the People Power Party's External Cooperation Committee, on the 14th, raising expectations that the 'party entry clock' will speed up. If former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who was initially the 'top priority' presidential candidate for party entry, hesitates and Choi's entry is finalized, it is predicted that Choi, boosted by the premium of the main opposition party, will enjoy the so-called 'first-mover advantage.'

On that afternoon, Kwon, who met Choi at a restaurant located in Jung-gu, Seoul, to discuss party entry issues, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "I will explain that entering the party is advantageous and say, 'If you are reluctant to enter because you fear the primary election, that is a mistaken thought.' If that is not the case, there is no reason not to join." This is the first time Choi has met with People Power Party figures to discuss his future.

Choi also appears to have a positive stance toward the 'early party entry' desired by the People Power Party. Kim Young-woo, former Future United Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker and head of the situation room at Choi's campaign, appeared on a radio show that day and said, "He will gain a better understanding of what a political party is and what it means to join a party." Choi has previously expressed the view that it is difficult to realize representative democracy without party politics, and he is increasing contact with the People Power Party, reportedly planning to meet with party leader Lee Jun-seok soon.

If Choi joins the People Power Party before former Prosecutor General Yoon, there is a possibility that he will quickly absorb the party's grassroots support. Factors such as Yoon's declining approval ratings and the fact that Yoon's intentions, which initially seemed inclined toward joining the People Power Party, remain unclear, causing fatigue, also contribute to this background. Park Sang-byeong, a professor at Inha University Graduate School of Policy, predicted, "It is advantageous for Choi to join the People Power Party quickly, but if he lingers outside, he may be overshadowed by Yoon and unable to do anything. If he enters the party and builds up support with those who have expectations for him, he can become the leading candidate of the People Power Party."

From former Prosecutor General Yoon's perspective, Choi's early party entry could function as a change that requires revising his presidential election strategy. According to a poll released that day, in a hypothetical one-on-one contest between ruling and opposition presidential candidates, Yoon was trailing Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung beyond the margin of error. The survey was conducted by Hankil Research on behalf of Cookie News from the 10th to the 12th, targeting 1,001 voters aged 18 and over nationwide. Lee received 43.9%, while Yoon received 36%. In the Asia Economy-Winzi Korea Consulting poll (conducted on the 10th and 11th), Yoon showed a 41.2% approval rating, trailing former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (43.7%). A senior People Power Party lawmaker predicted that the decline in approval ratings and the diminishing effect of joining the People Power Party could act as 'pressure' on Yoon.

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