'Highway Cancellation'... Is 'Jamliong' Won Hee-ryong Facing an Opportunity or a Crisis?

Minister Won Hee-ryong Raises Political Presence
"A Plus Factor for Supporters, The Opposite for Others..."

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong's decision to scrap the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway construction project, which raised allegations of special favors for the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, is a move that enhances his political presence.

In this regard, while some view Minister Won Hee-ryong, a potential presidential candidate within the ruling party, as making a political move to secure his future, there are contrasting opinions that this will remain a political burden. Regardless of how it is resolved, this controversy is expected to be a pivotal turning point that will determine the future of politician Won Hee-ryong.

Regarding this choice, there are evaluations that it contrasts with the rational image Minister Won has built through his political activities. The Democratic Party of Korea also emphasizes that there must be a 'backer' behind Minister Won, suggesting it was not a decision made alone.

However, Minister Won stressed in a CBS radio interview on the 7th, "It was a decision made after deep anguish, prepared to take responsibility for personnel authority." Although criticism arose from both the Democratic Party and some within the ruling party that the 'scrapping declaration is an overreach,' the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport maintains its stance that the project will not resume without an apology from the Democratic Party.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the ruling and opposition parties fiercely exchange blame over the scrapping of the expressway project, dozens of wreaths supporting Minister Won were placed in front of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport entrance at the Government Complex Sejong on the 12th.

Regardless of whether the decision to scrap the project was right or wrong, it served as an opportunity for Minister Won, a 'potential presidential candidate,' to firmly establish his presence. Cheon Ha-ram, former head of the People Power Party's Suncheon Gap branch in Jeonnam and a member of the non-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction, said on YTN radio, "It will help consolidate the People Power Party's support base."

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won interpreted on KBS radio that Minister Won took the lead looking toward the next presidential election, saying, "He probably thought that by doing so, he could go to the National Assembly and become the next presidential candidate."

However, Minister Won's decision carries political burdens. He said, "Minister Won is a good politician with a promising future whom I like, but causing trouble by saying such things and then lying to cause harm is regrettable."

A wreath with a cheering message for Minister Won Hee-ryong at the entrance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Government Complex Sejong, Sejong City on the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although Minister Won could highlight his presence with the drastic measure of scrapping the project, it inevitably means that the image he has built as a politician will suffer damage.

Yoon Tae-gon, head of the Agenda and Strategy Group The Moa, also diagnosed in a CBS radio interview, "As shown by the wreaths being sent, it can be considered a plus among the support base. But from the opposing side, there is clearly damage to the image regarding the question, 'Wasn't Won Hee-ryong a rational person?'"

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