[The Editors' Verdict] The Golden Time for Achieving National Tasks

Early Term with Strong Government Momentum, Policy Drive in Focus
Ruling Party's Convention Rule Turmoil
Political Leadership Needed to Overcome Crisis

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "In 2023, let's run more actively, more aggressively." This is the message from President Yoon Seok-yeol at the Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting on the 21st. The importance of next year cannot be overstated. Why is the early term called the golden time for realizing national tasks? It means not to miss opportunities while the government's momentum is alive.

At this crucial time, a new leader of the ruling party will be elected. The People Power Party's national convention is in March next year. It is a political event to elect the ruling party leader who will accompany the early and mid-term of the administration. It is natural for the presidential office to take an interest in the ruling party leader election. They may also hope for a ruling party leader who matches well with the president. However, giving the impression of interfering in the primary is a completely different issue.

There is a saying, "Do not even adjust your hat string under the plum tree," but the matter has already started. Ahead of the party convention, the ruling party has tampered with the election system. They decided to elect the next party leader by 100% voting of the responsible party members. They will also introduce a runoff voting system. Judging by the content alone, it aligns with the principles of party politics. Yet, why does the reaction follow that this is to create a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) leader?

Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Because it is perceived as the 'Yoo Seung-min exclusion rule.' Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is a frontrunner in the party leadership race, leading in opinion polls. Excluding opinion polls is a decision favorable to pro-Yoon candidates. This is why there is an analysis that the intention not to allow a Yoo Seung-min party leader era is embedded in the rule revision.

The suspicious gaze is turning toward the presidential office. Would the problem be resolved if a candidate full of so-called Yoon's heart (Yoonshim, 尹心) is elected as party leader? Let's take the example of a 100-meter race with different starting lines. If someone prepares to run 100 meters from the 0m start line, but pro-Yoon candidates start from the 99m mark...

Would the public see it as a fair competition? Would they not question the background of the rule change for the party convention? The perception that the ruling party is swayed by the influence from Yongsan is also problematic. The rule change for the party convention is said to be a choice that plunges the ruling party into political difficulties.

The burden on pro-Yoon candidates has increased. There is no more burdensome contest than a game where winning is taken for granted. If by any chance a pro-Yoon candidate does not win, the political aftershocks would be hard to predict.

Former lawmaker Yoo has two major options. One is to choose to complete the race despite unfavorable conditions, and the other is to step down from the party leadership race. If he chooses to complete the race, the ruling party convention could become a life-or-death showdown between pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon (non-Yoon Seok-yeol) factions.

There is also speculation that he might give up the party leadership competition and take a wait-and-see stance. While this could avoid a catastrophe, it will not eliminate the 'chaotic turbulence' enveloping the ruling party. The attempt to revise the party convention rules has already led the ruling party, which should unite as a single force, into the swamp of division. Sharp criticism continues to provoke the opposing side day after day.

Do they plan to stay up all night fighting for hegemony until the party convention next spring? March next year marks the first anniversary of President Yoon's election, and May is the first anniversary of his inauguration. It is an important time to unite the government's momentum and drive policies forward. This is not a situation where they can afford to waste such precious time. If the golden time for realizing national tasks is let go like that, all that remains is regret.

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