Yoo Seung-min "Why Don't Yoon Core Supporters Actively Welcome the Major Multi-member Constituency System?" (Summary)

Yoon Sang-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo's Claim of 'Running in the Capital Area' Called "Ridiculous"
Rising Presidential Contender Han Dong-hoon Says "OK as Long as Fair Competition Is Possible"
"The Candidate the Democratic Party Fears Is Me... Party Support Ratings Are Rising"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min emphasized that he is the very leader of the People Power Party (PPP) whom the Democratic Party fears most in the upcoming general election, stating, "As public support and approval ratings rise, party support also follows."

Regarding the controversial 'running for the metropolitan area' theory among ruling party leadership candidates, he called it a "ridiculous story" and stressed the importance of gaining public support. He also expressed strong support for the 'large multi-member constituency system' mentioned by President Yoon Suk-yeol and criticized the silence of 'Yunhaekgwan (core associates of President Yoon Suk-yeol).'

"I am the one who can bring moderate and non-affiliated votes"

On the 5th, on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' former lawmaker Yoo said, "I am the party leader who can bring the most votes from moderates, non-affiliated voters, the metropolitan area, and young people in the general election."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, as the People Power Party changed the primary election rules to '100% party member votes,' Yoo's party member support rating dropped from the top three to around fourth or fifth place. This is attributed to the rise of lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, who is seen as carrying 'Yunshim (Yoon's intention)' through the 'Kim Jang Alliance (Kim Ki-hyun - Jang Je-won),' and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who claims to represent the 'pro-friend Yoon faction.'

In response to a question pointing this out, Yoo said, "Looking at the past four months, the support among People Power Party supporters has been rising for me in public opinion, so party members' support is also following," adding, "It is not right to judge based on one or two recent polls."

He continued, "Comparing polls from August and September with recent ones, my support among People Power Party supporters has increased significantly," and said, "Party supporters are realizing, albeit belatedly with a gap of one or two months, that to win the general election, the party leader must be someone who receives overwhelming support from the entire public."

Yoo appealed to party members, saying, "I ask party members to make a very strategic judgment. Do you want a party leader who just listens well, is obedient and quiet?a so-called management-type leader? Or do you want a party leader who brings votes that the Democratic Party would otherwise take, winning votes from moderates, the metropolitan area, and young people to secure victory in the general election? That is what matters."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Direct hit at Yunhaekgwan... "Those who pretend to die when told to"

Recently, there has been an interpretation that President Yoon inviting Ahn Cheol-soo and his spouse to the presidential residence for a meal was a gesture to convey that there is no separate 'Yunshim (Yoon's intention).' Regarding this, Yoo said, "Judging by President Yoon's behavior and statements so far, he would want someone he desires to become the party leader," and criticized, "Inviting Ahn and his spouse to dine at the residence is a confusing gesture."

He also advised President Yoon to "let go of the prosecutor's mindset." Yoo said, "If the president thinks about the party as if it were the prosecution during his time as Prosecutor General, where there is a Prosecutor General and regional prosecutors' offices in Daegu or Daejeon, and the prosecution operates with a principle of unity and strict hierarchy, that is not appropriate," adding, "You cannot do politics with a prosecutor's mindset or way of thinking."

While criticizing President Yoon's political style, Yoo positively evaluated the large multi-member constituency system proposed by the president. He said, "The chronic problem in our politics is that the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, the conservative and progressive parties, fight as if the opponent must die for me to live," and raised his voice, "The drawbacks of the small constituency system are linked to this."

He added, "I support the large multi-member constituency system as a way to resolve regionalism, ideological confrontation, and hostile conflicts altogether. However, Yunhaekgwan lawmakers are all lukewarm and completely silent about this," and criticized, "Those who pretend to die when told to by President Yoon are not actively welcoming the large multi-member constituency system."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Han Dong-hoon, if only fair competition on a level playing field is possible..."

With the introduction of the large multi-member constituency system, there is a prospect that former lawmaker Yoo and former leader Lee Jun-seok could enter the winning zone. Yoo said, "I have no particular goal of serving as a lawmaker one more time," adding, "If I become party leader, would I run in the most difficult regions for the People Power Party in Korea? That might be the case, but serving one more term as a lawmaker does not mean much to me."

As he is considered a potential presidential candidate, this can be interpreted as his lack of attachment to the parliamentary seat. He said, "I have long had a dream of becoming the president of Korea to change this country and have tried twice but was frustrated," adding, "Becoming president is not about greed; the opportunity depends on the hearts of the people."

Regarding Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, who has rapidly emerged as a next presidential candidate within the ruling party, Yoo said, "If he wants to follow the model of President Yoon entering politics, that is his choice," adding, "If only fair competition on a level playing field is possible, I think it is good for various people with political ambitions to challenge the future of conservative politics."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"The theory of running in the metropolitan area is ridiculous... I, a four-term lawmaker from TK, am leading in approval ratings"

Ahead of the party convention, the 'running for the metropolitan area' theory has become controversial among leadership candidates. Lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo emphasized 'winning the metropolitan area in the general election' and raised their voices for the need for leadership candidates to run in the metropolitan area, while lawmakers Kim Ki-hyun and Jang Je-won, grouped as the Kim Jang Alliance, openly criticized this.

Former lawmaker Yoo said, "That is a ridiculous story. I served four terms in Daegu," adding, "What matters is whether the party leader candidate has the support of the most important metropolitan area, moderates, and young people, not whether their constituency is Incheon, Seoul, or Bundang."

Although the constituencies of the leadership candidates advocating the 'running for the metropolitan area' theory are all in the metropolitan area, Yoo emphasized that he, who served four terms in Daegu, is leading in public opinion polls. He said, "Arguing about where the candidate's home constituency is has little meaning," adding, "My support among the metropolitan area, moderates, and people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s is overwhelmingly higher compared to any other candidate."

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