Yoon Seok-yeol, Choi Jae-hyung, and Kim Dong-yeon from Moon Administration Show 3 Different Styles in Becoming Opposition Candidates

'Danggi Pilma' Yoon Seok-yeol
'Jeongwang Seokhwa' Choi Jae-hyung
'Amjung Moseok' Kim Dong-yeon

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok, Lee Hyun-joo, Geum Bo-ryeong] Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and a leading presidential candidate from the opposition; Choi Jae-hyung, former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman; and Kim Dong-yeon, former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy. The three men’s distinct paths are drawing attention. While they share the common goal of political mobilization with next year’s presidential election in sight, they are taking completely different approaches in their relationships with the opposition party.

◆ Lone Rider Yoon Seok-yeol = Since resigning as Prosecutor General, Yoon has delayed making a decision on whether to join the People Power Party for three months. So far, he only states that he wants to “listen to the public’s opinion.” Keeping distance from a party membership decision, he is focusing on a broad approach that embraces both conservative and progressive figures emphasizing an “overwhelming regime change.” For his first official schedule, Yoon visited the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions and last weekend traveled to Gwangju to pay respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery. On the 20th, he plans to visit Daegu. Although Yoon still ranks first in opposition candidate support in polls, he faces criticism for organizational weaknesses, limited ability to respond to negative campaigns, and insufficient policy content.

◆ Lightning-fast Choi Jae-hyung = Choi took a different path from Yoon by declaring his political entry and immediately joining the People Power Party. Since then, Choi has been strengthening his ties within the party, quickly learning from experienced politicians. On the 17th, he participated in a volunteer activity organized by the “Committee for Accompanying the Vulnerable” near a stream in Haeundae, Busan, picking up trash alongside party members. On the same day, Choi met Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to seek “political advice.” After the meeting, Choi told reporters, “I learned a lot from my conversation with Mayor Oh that rather than pushing the government recklessly, it is important to discuss and find ways for the people and citizens to live comfortably.”

◆ Feeling One’s Way in the Dark Kim Dong-yeon = Kim’s political moves remain shrouded in mystery. He has not clearly stated whether his allies will be from the ruling or opposition parties. While emphasizing “political force replacement over regime change,” he appears to still be contemplating how to implement this. For now, it is expected he may choose a third political ground, neither ruling nor opposition. However, former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in, known as a “kingmaker,” has shown willingness to support Kim Dong-yeon, suggesting that coalition-building with Kim Jong-in may lead to Kim Dong-yeon’s party membership. On the day, Kim appeared on a radio show and reiterated his stance, saying, “The structural problems we have faced under the current two-party system are not new. The political landscape itself must change.”

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