Daegu Visit by Yoon: "I Empathize with Supporters of President Park... I Want to Break Away from Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol"

"Park, the One Who Achieved Civil Servant Pension Reform"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, raised his hand to greet supporters during his visit to Seomun Market in Jung-gu, Daegu on the afternoon of the 20th. 2021.7.20 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 20th, Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading opposition presidential candidate who visited Daegu, responded to reporters' questions about ongoing criticism from supporters of former President Park Geun-hye by saying, "The matters I handled in the past fall under the fate of a prosecutor," and added, "I believe there is some validity and I empathize with the sincere feelings of those who still clearly support her."

Yoon continued, "After starting politics, I realized this is truly a difficult task," and said, "Since no one can give a definitive answer, those who deliberate and handle these issues deserve respect and there are people worthy of respect."

When asked about his evaluation of former President Park, he replied, "People may have preferences based on their worldview, but isn't it true that former President Park also made difficult decisions well as a national leader?" He added, "For example, reforms like the public officials' pension reform, which no one else could accomplish, were truly decisions worthy of respect."

Regarding the assessment that 'Yoon Seok-yeol's uniqueness' has disappeared, he said, "I question whether it is right to continue holding onto the (prosecutor's) image even after becoming a politician," and stated, "The way I confronted the living power with the law as a prosecutor has somewhat changed, and if there are matters to fight for the people's rights from another perspective, I will fight." He also added, "I want to break away from and forget the Yoon Seok-yeol as a prosecutor."

On the recent decline in approval ratings, he emphasized, "I have always said that I will walk in the direction pointed out by the people, always looking only at the people and listening to their voices for my future."

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