The 'Answer' of Choi Jae-hyung, Who Received the Last Words 'Light Up the Republic of Korea' from the Late Colonel Choi Young-seop

"Transparent, Inclusive, and Illuminating the World: Republic of Korea"

On the 3rd, Choi Jae-hyung, the People Power Party candidate running in the March 9 Seoul Jongno by-election, is being interviewed at the election situation room located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Although the interview was brief, every question was met with an unhesitant answer. Compared to the cautious demeanor during the presidential candidate primaries, he appeared much more like a seasoned politician. However, when asked about his late father's last will, he hesitated for a moment.

In an interview with Choi Jae-hyung, the People Power Party candidate running in the March 9 by-election for Seoul Jongno, we asked about the final words left by his father, the late retired Navy Colonel Choi Young-seop. Last July, just before resigning as Auditor General and declaring his entry into politics, Candidate Choi tearfully shared his father's handwritten last will with the world. That will was "Illuminate the Republic of Korea."

After hearing the question, Candidate Choi paused briefly and said, "If we consider the meaning of 'illuminate,' it is important that the formulation and execution of national policies become transparent." He added, "It means that legal procedures and such are carried out transparently and fairly, which is illuminating the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Another aspect is that our society has many dark corners. To look after the dark corners of citizens who are struggling and to create a country where no one is left behind also means illuminating the Republic of Korea." Furthermore, he said, "Standing tall as a country that leads the realization of the value of freedom on the international stage, based on strong national security, is also illuminating the Republic of Korea."

On the 3rd, Choi Jae-hyung, the People Power Party candidate running in the March 9 Seoul Jongno by-election, is being interviewed at the election situation room located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

He has long pondered his father's last will and set these goals as what he aims to achieve through politics.

In the interview, he spoke about his reflections on politics. As Candidate Choi canvasses grassroots public opinion for the parliamentary election, he said, "I am having valuable experiences that I wouldn't have had if I had jumped directly into the presidential race. Clashing with citizens at the grassroots level and feeling emotions beyond just words is a precious experience and asset as a politician." He explained that going through things he wouldn't have known just by fame or momentum as a presidential candidate has led to many new realizations.

For the interview photo shoot, he removed his mask, revealing chapped lips. Although he claimed confidence in his stamina, the fatigue from the grueling campaign through every alleyway was evident on his body. He is somewhere along the path of transforming from a judge, senior public official, and well-regarded political prospect into a politician.

He confessed that among the citizens he met during the campaign, he encountered not just disappointment but hatred toward politics. Candidate Choi lamented, "I felt that the people now need to be given hope that politics can improve our lives, and that it is necessary to demonstrate the capability and policy content to guide the country in a better direction."

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