People Power Party Presidential Candidates Pay Respects at Park Jeonghee's Tomb... Yoon Seokyoul Separately

Won Hee-ryong, Yoo Seung-min, Hong Joon-pyo,
Lee Jun-seok and party leadership
visit National Cemetery on 42nd anniversary of death
Yoon plans separate afternoon visit

On the 26th, marking the 42nd anniversary of the October 26 incident in which former President Park Chung-hee was assassinated, People Power Party presidential primary candidates Hong Joon-pyo and Yoo Seung-min visited Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and were moving after paying respects at former President Park's tomb. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The competition among the People Power Party's presidential candidates ahead of the final primary is intensifying. On the 26th, the People Power Party presidential candidates, along with the party leadership, visited the Seoul National Cemetery to pay respects on the 42nd anniversary of former President Park Chung-hee's death. However, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl did not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Attendees included Party Leader Lee Jun-seok, Floor Leader Kim Ki-hyun, former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo. The three candidates recalled the events of the October 26, 1979 incident and honored the late President Park.

However, former Prosecutor General Yoon did not join them and planned a separate visit in the afternoon. This move can be seen as an effort to assert his lead and showcase his influence. Yoon plans to visit the cemetery with lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Park Jin, Kwon Seong-dong from his camp, former Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and will be accompanied by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-seok. Unlike the other three candidates and party leadership who only visited former President Park's tomb, Yoon will sequentially visit the tombs of four former presidents: Park Chung-hee, Kim Dae-jung, Rhee Syngman, and Kim Young-sam.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is announcing youth policy pledges at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 21st. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

During the remaining ten days of the primary, each candidate is expected to focus on TV debates to appeal for last-minute support. Former Prosecutor General Yoon plans to conduct the debates as policy discussions. Hong Joon-pyo's camp will strengthen communication with party committee chairpersons and incumbent local councilors while announcing daily pledges, aiming to secure the 'home base' vote as a final push. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min's camp will emphasize the 'Jungsucheong' (moderate voters, metropolitan area, youth), considered their core support base, and plans to announce additional related pledges. Former Governor Won Hee-ryong will focus on exposing corruption related to the Daejang-dong development scandal, engaging in a high-stakes battle. Through this, he aims to highlight that he is a candidate who would not lose in a direct contest against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

It is expected that negative campaigning among candidates will be less visible in the upcoming TV debates. This is interpreted as a decision by the party leadership, concerned that excessive competition could negatively impact the party's overall approval ratings. Meanwhile, on the same day, eight People Power Party lawmakers declared their support for former Prosecutor General Yoon, calling him the 'best candidate for regime change.'

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