Yoo Seung-min, Whose Approval Ratings Are Steadily Rising, Says "I Will Hit the Jackpot Someday"

"Candidate is Yoo Seung-min if overturned by October 31"

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, said on the 12th, "I have been steadily rising, and someday I will hit the jackpot," expressing confidence by stating, "If things turn around between October 20 and 25, or by October 31 at the latest, the candidate will be Yoo Seung-min."

On the same day, Yoo appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I am speaking honestly to party members. Regarding the part where I made a painful choice based on my conscience and principles in the past (the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye), reversing or apologizing for that is not what a politician does. However, if you truly want a regime change, I am the person who can definitely defeat Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, so please reconsider," he said.

Referring to his steadily rising approval ratings, he said, "I am confident I can turn things around," adding, "There are still nine debates left, and there is plenty of time to share my various visions and policies with party members and the public, as well as to explain why I am strong against candidate Lee Jae-myung."

Yoo gave a candid evaluation of the candidates who passed the second cut-off during the radio show. Regarding Yoon Seok-youl, the former Prosecutor General, who has recently been embroiled in controversy over the so-called 'Cheongong Master,' Yoo said, "I think it is very important whether a national leader or president lets their ears be captured by certain people's words," adding, "They can do shamanistic rituals or whatever, but a national leader should not do that. Politics and religion must be separated."

He said that Hong Joon-pyo, a People Power Party lawmaker, has an 'animalistic instinct,' which he himself needs to learn from. Yoo said, "He changes his words, plays innocent well, speaks harshly, and sometimes disparages women. He has weaknesses, but he accurately and briefly grasps the core and processes it very quickly on his own." He positively evaluated former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, saying that by focusing on uncovering the 'Daejang-dong Gate,' he can build consensus as a rational conservative.

On the afternoon of the 11th, People Power Party's presidential primary candidates Won Hee-ryong (from left), Yoo Seung-min, Yoon Seok-youl, and Hong Joon-pyo are pledging fair competition ahead of the joint debate in the Honam region at the KBS Gwangju Broadcasting Headquarters in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, together with party leader Lee Jun-seok (center). 2021.10.11 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding Lee Jae-myung, the Gyeonggi Province governor who was elected as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate the day before, Yoo expressed concern. He explained, "A confirmed guilty verdict is a legal matter, and if the candidate is arrested, it would be grounds for replacing the candidate," adding, "I don't understand why one party has a problematic candidate while the other has a candidate with high approval ratings."

Meanwhile, Yoo anticipated that it would be difficult for Lee Jun-seok, the People Power Party leader, to run in the Jongno by-election, although he would like him to. He said, "Lee Jun-seok lost three times in Nowon District," adding, "I think the fact that he kept engaging in politics despite losing three times shows his determination and is commendable."

Yoo emphasized, "I was an economist when the IMF crisis hit in 1997. The economy is truly important, but all decisions are made in politics, and if politics fails, neither the country's economy nor security can succeed. I felt this deeply at that time and immediately abandoned that path to start politics," adding, "My original intention remains the same today."

Finally, he said, "I believe that unless we have a truly prepared leader with philosophy, vision, and strong policies, this problem cannot be solved. If we fail to solve this problem in the next five years, I think our country will have truly missed the golden time," adding, "I want to devote everything in my political life, roll up my sleeves for five years, and become an economic president who solves the era's problems and overcomes crises."

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