[Insight & Opinion] The People Power Party and Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon's 'Interest Cartel'

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated at last month's Cabinet meeting, "We must resolutely implement reforms against the interest cartels that exploit the people." The following day, he also attended the People Power Party's national convention and emphasized, "The vested interest cartels that cause suffering to the people must be thoroughly eradicated." The term ‘interest cartel’ is frequently used by President Yoon. When he announced his presidential candidacy two years ago, he criticized the Moon Jae-in administration, saying, "A small number of interest cartels have built a food chain paralyzed in responsibility and ethics." He also criticized collective illegal acts by groups such as the Cargo Solidarity and Construction Unions, as well as the financial and telecommunications sectors, which have been passive in reducing the public burden, labeling them as interest cartels. Just as the term ‘deep-rooted evils’ functioned as a negative frame during the Moon Jae-in administration, the phrase ‘interest cartel’ plays a similar role under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. It is unclear exactly what President Yoon means by ‘interest cartel.’ However, judging from the context of his remarks, it can be interpreted as forces that pursue their own interests through unfair practices or obstruct national reforms such as education, pension, and labor reforms.

But how should we perceive these interest cartels? This concerns the relationship between the ruling People Power Party and Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, a representative figure of the so-called ‘asphalt conservatives.’ The controversy over their relationship surfaced recently when Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member, made consecutive remarks such as opposing the inclusion of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the Constitution and calling for a ‘unified right-wing under Jeon Gwang-hoon.’ As the controversy grew, Kim apologized and entered a period of self-reflection. However, the question of what kind of figure Pastor Jeon is to the People Power Party has become unavoidable.

When Pastor Jeon is mentioned, the People Power Party tries to distance itself by saying he is not even a party member. However, Representative Ha Tae-kyung urged decisive action, saying, "If the party does not completely sever ties with Pastor Jeon's faction, there is no future." Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also claimed, "During Hwang Kyo-ahn's leadership, Pastor Jeon's side inserted many responsible party members into our party." There is a reason why People Power Party politicians are so eager to appease Pastor Jeon. Since the party convention is to be conducted with a ‘100% party member vote’ rule, they are conscious of the influence Pastor Jeon may have on party members and are trying to curry favor with him. This means that a large number of Pastor Jeon's supporters have joined as party members. In such a structure, hardline right-wing party members who follow Pastor Jeon come to dominate the party. This is reminiscent of how the hardline party members known as ‘Gaeddal’ manipulate the Democratic Party of Korea. When the ruling party, which should be responsible for the entire nation, is swayed by extremism within its own camp, it loses its way.

This is a conversation between Kim Jae-won and Pastor Jeon when Kim attended Pastor Jeon's Sunday worship service. Jeon Gwang-hoon: "If I deliver 200 seats, what will the party do for me?"/ Kim Jae-won: "We will give you the title of hero."/ Jeon Gwang-hoon: "I don't really want the hero title, be specific."/ Kim Jae-won: "I will go to the Supreme Council and make sure your wishes are fulfilled."

What exactly ‘the pastor's wishes’ are is unknown. Hopefully, it is not economic interests such as purchasing the sauna building in the Jangwi-dong redevelopment area. However, such a conversation does appear to suggest inappropriate political deals and collusion. The interest cartel that President Yoon has criticized so strongly is precisely present within the ruling People Power Party. How will the People Power Party deal with this internal political interest cartel? If it has become a ‘pro-Yoon’ party, it should also address its own interest cartels to maintain consistency. The tangled relationship between the People Power Party and Pastor Jeon must be severed not with words but with actions.

Yoo Chang-sun, Political Commentator

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