'Campaign Committee Without Kim Jong-in' Experts Say "Handshake" VS "Breakthrough"

Expected Impact Due to 'Yunhaekgwan' Image
Also Analyzed as an Attempt to Overcome the 'Avatar' Frame

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, attended the first meeting of the Presidential Election Countermeasures Committee held at the National Assembly on the 7th of last month. Before the meeting started, he exchanged greetings with Kim Jong-in, the general election committee chairman. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Most political experts are calling Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, a 'bad move' for his decision to run a campaign headquarters without Kim Jong-in. Analysts say it is reckless for a 'political newcomer' to run an election alone without a kingmaker or full party support. In particular, they believe the image damage is inevitable as it appears he is trying to strengthen ties with his 'Yoon core group' (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates). On the other hand, a minority interpretation sees this as a positive breakthrough to overcome the 'avatar' frame of Kim Jong-in.

The biggest negative factor, experts agree, is the 'absence effect of Kim Jong-in.' Among nine political experts consulted by this outlet, seven gave this negative outlook. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "Chairman Kim is the person who reads the election landscape best," adding, "Unless a very outstanding person is brought in, there could be great difficulties in election strategy." Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, also said, "The plan is to benchmark the direct control system of Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and proceed centered on candidate Yoon, but it is questionable whether Yoon has that level of sense and experience," calling the split with Chairman Kim "the worst move among bad moves."

Challenges in 'message management' are also a source of concern. Political commentator Yoo Chang-sun said, "Talking about democratization movements while mentioning pro-North Korean factions, and refusing to debate with the opposing candidate by labeling them a serious criminal, is indeed far removed from the expectations of the public, especially the moderate voters," adding, "I am skeptical whether candidate Yoon, without even Chairman Kim's support, can avoid repeating bigger mistakes and errors." Political commentator Hwang Tae-soon also said, "The reason Yoon lost significant support in just two weeks was likely due to his abrupt and rough speech and unrefined behavior," adding, "This is a big gamble and will be a tough fight."

The stubbornness to continue with the Yoon core group is also likely to act as a negative factor. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "In the end, he will have to receive help from someone, but this decision only looks like he is going with the Yoon core group," adding, "It seems the image of being very stubborn and doing things his own way will strengthen." Political consultant Kim Hyo-tae also pointed out, "It raises doubts whether the Yoon core group are good at running elections," adding, "They messed up message management and appear to have no strategy." Professor Park Sang-byeong of Inha University's Graduate School of Policy also analyzed, "The era of the Yoon core group could open again."

On the other hand, there is a positive evaluation that this was an inevitable choice for candidate Yoon, who fell into the avatar frame due to Chairman Kim's 'acting' remarks. Professor Kim Sung-soo of Hanyang University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "If he goes on TV debates, whatever he says will be questioned as 'Is that his own thought or Kim Jong-in's?' It seems he has now shaken off Chairman Kim well," he said. Professor Choi Chang-ryeol of Yongin University also said, "The candidate cannot go with someone who is said to be 'acting.' I think it is not bad to completely reorganize the campaign headquarters." Professor Choi added, "If candidate Yoon faces the problems of Korean society and presents policies and messages accordingly, it does not matter who he runs the campaign with."

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