Silent Yoo Seung-min... Another Variable After Na's Withdrawal from the Race

Conflicting Predictions Surrounding Yoo Seung-min's Candidacy
Rule Change to 100% Party Member Vote Adds Variable

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The silence of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a ruling party presidential candidate, is growing longer. With former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who was considered a strong contender for the party leadership, declaring she will not run, attention is also focused on whether Yoo will run. Although many predict that he will not easily run due to the change in the primary election rules to '100% party members' votes,' there are voices saying that if he remains silent any longer, he may miss the opportunity and should decide to run.

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won said on SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" on the 26th, "Above all, the most important factor will be whether former lawmaker Yoo, who carries the public sentiment, decides to run," adding, "If Yoo follows 'Na Kyung-won's path,' there is no future. He must run."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former lawmaker Yoo has not appeared in public for over two weeks since attending a meeting with senior journalists in Daegu on the 11th. His last statement on social media was a New Year's message on the 20th. Despite Na's announcement of not running on the 25th, Yoo has not issued any related comments. Considering that he has consistently criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's failures and the party's unilateral management, this is unusual.

With the registration for party leader candidates scheduled for the 2nd to 3rd of next month, most candidates have announced their intentions, except Yoo. Former NIS Director Park advised, "If he runs and wins, it will be a big success, and even if he loses, he should show that he is striving for the future."

However, his candidacy does not seem easy due to the change in the primary election rules to '100% party members' votes.' Although he holds an unshakable first place in various polls asking about the next leader of the People Power Party, when the respondents are limited to People Power Party supporters, his support rate falls to single digits. Under the revised primary rules, his chances of winning are uncertain.

Opinions in the political sphere about his candidacy are divided. On the 9th, Cho Won-jin, leader of the Our Republican Party, predicted on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" that Yoo would step up if Na did not run. However, former National Assembly Secretary-General Yoo In-tae predicted on CBS's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," "After moving the goalposts and revising the rules like this, would he really want to jump into this game now?" and expected him not to run.

Insight K Research Director Bae Jong-chan also said on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon," "It's not easy. He shouldn't hesitate. He must not miss the timing, but in the end, Yoo is too late." This means he missed the opportunity after excessive deliberation. Unlike his competitors, such as lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who have formed camps and held opening ceremonies to start full-fledged activities, there has been no sign of Yoo trying to form a campaign, supporting this speculation.

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