'Yoon Mentor' Shin Pyung, Ahn Cheol-soo Traffic Control?..."Presidential Candidates Should Be Party Leaders in 2025"

Lawyer Shinpyeong to Lecture at National Assembly on 14th
Ahn Cheol-soo "Kimjang Solidarity? We Need to See How It Develops Over Time"

Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party member (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum, Hyunji Kwon] As the party convention to elect the leader of the People Power Party is shaping up for the 'end of February to early March' next year, Shinpyeong, a lawyer known as President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'political mentor,' stated that "the prospective presidential candidate should indeed be the party leader in 2025." He also criticized the 'capital region and MZ generation party leader theory' mentioned by Floor Leader Joo Ho-young, saying it was a 'misjudgment.' This is being analyzed as a 'traffic control' regarding Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo.

On the morning of the 14th, after delivering a lecture titled 'Innovation 24 New Future' at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Lawyer Shin told reporters, "Regarding who should become the next party leader, the person who will run as a presidential candidate should not be the party leader election next year but rather the following party leader election," adding, "I think that is a natural order." This implies that it is appropriate to serve as party leader for about a year at the 2025 party convention before running for the presidency.

He further explained, "Although the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is making many efforts, it is being shaken in various ways. Since the opposition controls the legislature, governing the country is progressing with difficulty," and added, "In this regard, if the party leader is too strong at the level of a leading presidential candidate, there is concern that the momentum of state affairs might be somewhat dispersed."

He then negatively evaluated Floor Leader Joo's remark that "the next party leader should be able to gain support from the capital region and the MZ generation." Lawyer Shin said, "Floor Leader Joo does not make good political judgments," and pointed out, "He used a flawed analysis."

These remarks are all interpreted as targeting Assemblyman Ahn. Assemblyman Ahn ran as the candidate of the People Party in the last presidential election but unified with Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate at the time, making him a presidential candidate-level figure. He has also clearly expressed his intention to run in this party convention. His electoral base is in the capital region, moving from Nowon, Seoul, to Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

It is also notable that this study group was hosted by Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun, another contender for party leadership. Assemblyman Kim is continuously rumored to have a 'Kim-Jang alliance' with Assemblyman Jang Je-won, a key figure close to President Yoon (known as 'Yunhaekgwan'). By inviting Lawyer Shin as well, he emphasized that he is the candidate closest to 'Yoon's heart.'

When asked whether Lawyer Shin effectively managed Assemblyman Ahn's candidacy, Assemblyman Kim responded, "There is nothing to debate about Lawyer Shin's remarks," but added, "I have stated on Facebook that it would be good if he runs for party leader on the premise that he will not run in the next presidential election." In October, Assemblyman Kim said, "Those who want to become the next party leader should not use the 2024 general election as a stepping stone for their presidential ambitions," explaining, "Because they should not artificially create unfair or excessive measures favorable to their presidential path within the party or cause obstacles to party unity."

Assemblyman Ahn also attended the study group that day. Regarding reporters' questions about the 'Kim-Jang alliance,' Assemblyman Ahn said, "Among politicians, there can be various cooperative relationships related to the party convention," and added, "We will have to see how things develop over time."

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