[Q&A] Yoon Seok-yeol: "I will strive to gain more support from 2030... Candidates are a great strength"

Emphasizing 'One Team' with Eliminated Candidates
Hong Jun-pyo "Acceptance of Defeat, Hong Jun-pyo's Role Ends Here"

On the afternoon of the 5th, the People Power Party held a party convention at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Hyochang-dong, Seoul, and officially selected former Prime Minister Yoon Seok-yeol as the presidential candidate. Candidate Yoon is holding a press conference after the event. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who was elected as the People Power Party's presidential candidate, responded to criticisms that he is not receiving support from the 2030 generation by saying, "I will strive to gain more support," emphasizing a 'One-team' approach with the candidates who were eliminated. He intends to fill the weaknesses that have been pointed out as his shortcomings through a chemical combination with other candidates.

On the 5th, after delivering his victory speech at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Candidate Yoon held a Q&A session with reporters. In response to a question stating, "You won by more than 20% in the party member vote but trailed by about 10% behind People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo in the general public opinion polls," he said, "Hong received a lot of support from our youth generation. Regardless of who the candidate is, the fact that the youth generation supports our party itself is encouraging."

He then emphasized the One-team strategy with the eliminated candidates. Yoon said, "I was only elected as the candidate, but the regime change and the presidential election are something that all candidates who participated in the primary fight together, so I think it is a great strength."

When asked about the 'chemical combination with other candidates,' Yoon replied, "Even during the debate process, before and after starting, the candidates encouraged each other and proceeded. The three who made it to the end have been in politics in the People Power Party for a long time, so I believe we can form a good One-team and show a united and harmonious front to definitely achieve regime change."

He added, "I will meet with Lawmaker Hong, former Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, all three eliminated candidates stated that they would accept the results cleanly. In particular, Lawmaker Hong wrote on Facebook after the party convention, "Although the party sentiment went against public opinion, I accept the primary results cleanly," adding, "Hong Joon-pyo's role in this presidential election ends here."

▼Below is the Q&A.

-You need to form the party's election committee, and former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in is being mentioned as the general election committee chairman. Do you intend to recruit him?

▲(Former Chairman Kim) gave useful advice during the primary process and I think he will help, but the formation of the election committee will be discussed more deeply with you and party officials before being finalized.

-As a political newcomer, you have been running for four months now and have experienced high barriers. What was the most rewarding and the most heartbreaking moment during the primary process?

▲Although I am a political newcomer, many senior politicians in our party have greatly helped and supported me. Even though I am a newcomer and know little about Yeouido and politics, many people have guided me well like turning on a light, so I think I have come this far. I also think deciding to join the People Power Party quickly was a very good decision. Politics is done through the party, and democracy is also realized through the party. Some advised me to stay outside longer when starting politics, but I have no regrets about entering the party and experiencing and learning a lot.

The heartbreaking part was when I faced criticism asking why I said such things. Politics is a reality where there is a huge difference between one's heart and how it is expressed and received by the public. Learning that was a difficult but precious time.

-How do you plan your first schedule and visit to Gwangju?

▲Since the election committee has not been formed yet, our People's Camp will soon announce the schedule for the Gwangju visit and other initial plans to reporters. Since I am someone who wants to become president, I think it is proper to first visit those who are going through difficult times and situations.

The Gwangju visit plan is being discussed with our party officials in Gwangju, and the schedule will be announced soon. It will be about a one-night, two-day trip; I do not plan to just go and come back on the same day.

-There seem to be many hurdles to overcome in the general election. Investigations related to your spouse and intensified accusations of election interference are expected. How will you respond?

▲These are such absurd claims that I don't even feel the need to respond. The family has been under scrutiny for a year and six months. If there is political manipulation or illegal election interference, those responsible should be held accountable accordingly.

-You said you have no regrets about the debates, but do you have any now?

▲Even if I were not a politician, once a public figure speaks, what use is regret? From the perspective of the public, I did say some things that are hard to accept. If I regret anything, it would be one or two things, but I think taking responsibility is more important than regret.

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