Conservative YouTubers Eyeing the Yeo Party Convention... "Helpful for Publicity"

"Election Commission Should Organize" vs "Party Members Should Decide"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the People Power Party's leadership election changes to reflect 100% of party member votes, conservative YouTubers are considering running. Within the party, while it is said to "help with excitement," there are doubts about their chances of winning.

On the 27th, People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and gave a positive evaluation, saying, "When those individuals come, it seems that the primary process will somewhat help with excitement."

Previously, Kang Shin-up, a lawyer who served as the president of First Lady Kim Kun-hee's fan cafe, announced his intention to run for party leader, and there are rumors that Shin Hye-sik, CEO of the conservative YouTube channel 'Shinui Hansu' (1.47 million subscribers), and Kim Se-ui, CEO of 'Garosero Research Institute' (840,000 subscribers), are also challenging for the Supreme Council member positions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmaker Yoo said, "I think it will also receive national interest. Especially in the case of CEO Kim, he has somewhat become a celebrity, hasn't he?" but added, "However, I see the party members' judgment a bit differently."

It is uncertain whether their popularity will translate into votes.

He said, "From the perspective of party members and those who have supported conservatives, they preferred those individuals because their 'cider remarks' (refreshing, straightforward comments) represented their frustrated feelings," adding, "There is a difference between preference and whether that preference will directly connect when these individuals actually enter the party as leadership and lead the party."

Then, Lawmaker Yoo cited examples such as Jeong Kyu-jae, a conservative commentator, running for Busan mayor, and Kang Yong-seok, a conservative YouTuber lawyer, challenging for Gyeonggi governor. Jeong received 3.2% of the vote, and Kang received 0.95%.

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Hae-jin pointed out that the candidacies of conservative YouTubers in the leadership election could distort the party's image and called for the election commission to take action.

On SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' he said, "Anyone running should do so with sincerity for the party's and political development, not for personal interests using the leadership election. I do not think it is desirable," adding, "I hope there will be no incidents where provocative remarks or thinking only of certain enthusiastic supporters distort the party's image or line."

On the other hand, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jeong-jae said the decision should be left to the party members. On YTN Radio's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' he said, "Anyone can run," and added, "In the past, the Supreme Council member position felt very weighty and dignified, but recently, regardless of party, celebrities, mainly well-known faces or those who appear frequently on broadcasts, have been able to raise their recognition and often become Supreme Council members."

He continued, "I hope party members carefully examine and harmoniously form the party leadership," and said, "It is up to the party members to decide."

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