Yoo Seungmin Raises the Banner of 'Jungkkeokma'?Will He Make a Bold Move at the Ruling Party Convention?

Appears on SBS: "If I become party leader, I will lead innovation and change"
Still undecided about running... Posts 'Jungkkeokma' hashtag on social media

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Jieun] Will politician Yoo Seungmin stake his political career on the People Power Party's national convention? All eyes in Yeouido's political circles are watching to see whether he will make a bold move to directly confront the unfavorable primary rules, or seek an alternative path. Whatever decision he makes is expected to significantly impact the ruling party's convention.

The People Power Party's primary rules are unfavorable to the 'non-Yoon' faction, as they include a 100% party member vote and a runoff system. The landscape surrounding the party's convention is increasingly turning against Yoo Seungmin, the leading figure of the non-Yoon faction, due to President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating surpassing that of the party and alliances forming among major candidates who are aligned with Yoon. Yoo has yet to decide whether he will run in the convention.

Yoo Seungmin: "If I become party leader, I will lead innovation and change"

On the afternoon of the 26th, Yoo appeared on SBS's "Joo Youngjin's News Briefing" and said, "If I run for party leader and become party leader, I will lead innovation and change, and create a People Power Party that moves forward, not the People Power Party of 20 years ago." He added, "I will take the lead in that change and innovation." However, he also stated that he has not yet decided whether to run in the convention.

The reason Yoo is hesitating to run is because the convention rules have been changed in a way that is disadvantageous to him. Last week, through a National Committee meeting, the party finalized a revision to the primary rules that reflects 100% of party member votes in the election of the party leader and Supreme Council members. This is a critical blow to Yoo, who enjoys high support among moderates but has weak support among party members.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result, there is considerable speculation that he may withdraw midway. Yoon Taegon, head of political analysis at The More, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjung's News Show" on the 21st and said, "If he fails to become party leader, things could get even worse for him afterward. In that sense, not running at all might be a way to reduce his risks. Such a judgment is possible," emphasizing the likelihood that Yoo will not run.

Will the national convention also be a case of 'Jungkkeokma (What matters is an unbreakable will)'?

Yoo has dismissed the speculation about withdrawing midway by repeatedly posting on his social media accounts with the hashtag 'Jungkkeokma (What matters is an unbreakable will).' Lee Junseok, former leader of the People Power Party, who is rumored to support Yoo in the convention, also told reporters after a lecture at Korea University on the 22nd, "I believe he will run."

However, unless Yoo clearly announces his intention to run, speculation about his possible withdrawal is likely to persist. The time for a decision is running out. The party leadership has set March 8 next year as the date for the convention and has accelerated preparations by appointing Yoo Heungsoo, a standing advisor, as the head of the election management committee that will oversee and manage the convention. There are now only 72 days left until the convention.

Other candidates who declared their candidacy early are busy attending local events and making themselves known to party members in an effort to win their support. Even Representative Ahn Cheolsoo, who was previously considered more moderate than pro-Yoon, posted a photo on social media on this day with a bandage on his forehead, saying, "I got this injury while working hard to meet as many party members as possible. Even if it means breaking my head, if I become party leader, I will keep my promise to win the general election," appealing to party members for support.

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