Kim Hyung-o Criticizes Yoon: "Must Change Tone and Behavior... It's Not Too Late Even Now"

"Distinguishing Factor Between Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung is Sincerity"
"Yoon Should Speak Less... Must Think of Saying Only One-Tenth of What He Wants to Say"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing the 'Yoon Seok-yeol's Government Innovation - Digital Platform Government' pledge at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Hyung-o, a senior figure in the conservative camp and former Speaker of the National Assembly, harshly criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, on the 2nd, saying, "Expectations are turning into disappointment, or rather despair." Kim, a five-term lawmaker, has served as secretary-general and floor leader of the Grand National Party (now People Power Party) and is a senior conservative figure.

On the same day, Kim posted an article titled "Three Bitter Sachets for the New Year to the People Power Party" on his blog, stating, "The new year has dawned, but the atmosphere of Yoon Seok-yeol's election campaign committee is not bright. To overcome this critical moment, the three main actors of the election must adopt a self-sacrificing attitude: Yoon Seok-yeol, Lee Jun-seok, and Kim Jong-in."

He wrote, "Anyone who has run an election, or even most citizens, would feel this is an emergency situation, but the parties involved seem to deliberately ignore the seriousness," adding, "With the hope that their original intentions do not change, I send this prescription after much thought. I urge extraordinary determination and effort."

Regarding candidate Yoon, Kim said, "He appeared in politics like a comet, becoming the eye of the storm and the core of the tempest. This was because public opinion strongly desired a regime change," but pointed out, "However, just six months after entering politics and two months after being chosen as the party's presidential candidate, many of the people who supported him are turning their backs on him."

He continued, "While claiming to change politics, he responds with old-fashioned methods rather than new rules," criticizing, "His words lack persuasiveness and sincerity. If this continues, everything will be at risk. The country and its people will become unhappy."

He added, "The common sense and fairness that candidate Yoon advocates are other names for justice and conscience. If reason and inclusion are added to this, the image of politician Yoon Seok-yeol as a candidate would be complete," but criticized, "Yet, he fails to properly show any of these. He remains an unprepared amateur politician, clumsy, lacking, and sometimes even unstable. There are frequent verbal slips, big or small. It is as if the opponent candidate's broken promises are being offset by Yoon's verbal mistakes. His attitude and ability to manage these situations are also poor, repeatedly missing the right timing."

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Hyung-o. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim said, "The direction is wrong. There is an error in election strategy," and pointed out, "Yoon Seok-yeol is a political newcomer. Differentiation should come before superiority and be the core. He should highlight his unique charm, clearly different from established politician Lee Jae-myung, but in trying to emphasize better points, he is out of sync."

He continued, "Policies and basic directions must be reviewed, and tone, behavior, and personnel management all need to change," emphasizing, "Whether it is systems, policies, or budgets, they must be designed and pledged with the people's hearts."

He also addressed Yoon, saying, "He talks, but there is no message. His voice is rough and strong, but the core and emphasis are unclear," adding, "He must first reduce his words. If he thinks he is only saying one-tenth of what he wants to say, his words will gain strength, delivery, and persuasiveness. Without restraint in speech, it sounds like verbal slips or empty talk."

He added, "The candidate's earnestness must be reflected in his eyes, breath, gestures, and voice. The people will immediately recognize the devotion to save the country with this one body," and raised his voice, "I emphasize again that sincerity is the dividing line between Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung."

Kim also criticized Yoon's aides, saying, "He needs to utilize his aides, but while there are people hanging around, the necessary ones are not seen," and added, "The candidate should not discriminate among aides, but he must be selective in listening to their words."

Furthermore, Kim mentioned Yoon's wife, Kim Geon-hee, stating, "She has been attacked so much and has been burdened with a bad image, making it difficult to show her face throughout the election period, and the opposition will continue to try to trip her up. It may be due to a lack of honest and competent aides or the candidate's poor judgment, but this is the most regrettable part."

Finally, he concluded, "Yoon Seok-yeol, who was seen as the person who would completely overhaul the tired 'Yeouido politics' with phrases like 'I am not loyal to people' and 'The Prosecutor General is not a subordinate to the minister,'" said, "It is not too late even now. If Yoon's infinite respect for the people and his earnest love for the country are expressed with sincerity and restrained language, the crisis will become new hope. He must show the image of Yoon Seok-yeol, the new politician opening a new era."

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