Yoon Seok-yeol on 'Opposition Candidate Replacement Theory': "I Plan to Leave Everything to the People"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference to announce the dissolution of the election campaign committee and his position at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, addressed the emerging 'candidate replacement theory' by stating, "I intend to leave everything to the people."

On the morning of the 5th, Yoon held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, announcing a reorganization of the campaign committee. He said, "I embarked on the political path solely for regime change," adding, "I should have led our election campaign organization and the People Power Party well to reassure the public, but I failed to do so. The responsibility lies entirely with me as the candidate."

In response to reporters' questions about the 'candidate replacement theory,' he explained, "Since I was elected as the candidate of the main opposition party, if the people think there are shortcomings, please let me know," and added, "Election campaigning is not a simple competition to become the highest decision-maker of the government but a process of developing qualifications. I believe it is a process of realizing and learning things one did not know before."

Regarding the controversy over false credentials of his spouse, Kim Geon-hee, he apologized, saying, "I am sorry for causing concern to the public due to my family's issues," and stated, "I will accept the public's criticism and discipline for any shortcomings."

When asked if Kim would participate in the campaign, he replied, "My wife has been under intense investigation for two years since the Cho Kuk incident two years ago and is mentally and physically exhausted. Even if I tell you not to worry, as a woman, she has been under stress, so after recovering, I think she will quietly engage in activities such as volunteering."

Regarding plans to visit or seek direct help from Representative Hong Joon-pyo, he said, "Since we must unite all forces within the People Power Party and run the election as a single front with the same mindset, I will do whatever is necessary."

On whether Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, would directly participate in the campaign committee, he drew a line, saying, "Rather than taking a position in the campaign headquarters, I want him to fulfill his role as party leader," and added, "It is not necessary to have a position in the campaign committee."

Meanwhile, on the same day (the 5th), Yoon announced the dissolution of the existing campaign committee and the formation of a practical, agile campaign headquarters to maximize mobility. He also officially declared his split with Kim Jong-in, the general election committee chairman.

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