Yoon Heads to the 'Heart of Conservatism'... This Time Facing the 'Park Dilemma'

Yoon's Schedule Sparks Pro-Park Faction's Protest Press Conference
Attention Focused on Reconciliation Message and Format

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing his position on the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 24th./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, will head to Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) over two days to rally conservative forces. Attention is focused on what kind of gesture of reconciliation he will make in the TK region, where there is strong sympathy for former President Park Geun-hye. The relationship with party leader Lee Jun-seok, who has been clashing continuously, is also a challenge for Yoon during his visit to TK.

According to the People Power Party on the 29th, Yoon will visit TK and Chungbuk for 2 nights and 3 days from that day until the 31st.

TK is considered the "heart of conservatism" and a stronghold of conservative forces, but the problem is that this area is the support base of former President Park. Especially after the pardon of former President Park was decided on the 24th, Yoon now faces the challenge of crossing the "river of impeachment." Yoon was the head of the special investigation team for Choi Soon-sil during the 2016 impeachment crisis and later led the investigation into deep-rooted evils as the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Conscious of this, Yoon emphasized the day before, regarding former President Park, "Even if it was a matter of duty as a public official, I personally feel deeply sorry emotionally," and added, "I only wish for her speedy recovery."

However, the 'Pro-Park (Pro-Park Geun-hye)' faction is already watching Yoon's visit to TK with displeasure. The Our Republican Party is holding press conferences in Andong and Daegu, aligned with Yoon's schedule, titled "Yoon Seok-yeol, Apologize to President Park Geun-hye!" Still, Yoon faces a dilemma as he cannot simply express regret over the investigation of former President Park or make statements defending her. The 2030 generation, classified as the moderate middle ground, still perceives former President Park as a "deep-rooted evil," so there is a high possibility of voter defection from Yoon.

There is one more challenge to resolve during this TK visit schedule. It is the strained relationship with party leader Lee. Lee has been mentioning 'Yoon Core Group' (key figures close to Yoon Seok-yeol) and engaging in daily disputes with Yoon's associates, resulting in a power struggle with Yoon. This internal conflict within the People Power Party is causing public fatigue. Lee's side is waiting for Yoon's swift decision. Kim Cheol-geun, the party leader's political affairs chief, said in a radio interview that "So far, (Yoon) has not even made a single phone call to Lee," and expressed hope that "the party's issues would be resolved by the end of the year," hinting that the 'golden time' is the 31st.

The first place Yoon will visit during this schedule is the construction site of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 in Uljin. He is expected to criticize the current government's nuclear phase-out policy there. Then, he plans to visit Dosan Seowon in Andong, the hometown of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, to reaffirm his intention to inherit the will and spirit of Toegye Yi Hwang. On the 30th, he will start with a visit to the National Sinam Patriotic Martyrs' Park in Daegu, attend a local press conference, pay respects at the Chilgok Dabudong Battle Monument, and visit the blacksmith shop producing the 'K-Homi' sold on Amazon in Yeongju. On the 31st, he will head to Guinsa Temple in Danyang, Chungbuk, attend the 110th birthday celebration Dharma meeting of Sangwol Won-gak Daejosa, and conclude his schedule.

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