"People Are Always Right" According to Yoon's Will... Mixed Reactions Within the Party

Amidst the defeat of the People Power Party in the Gangseo District Mayor by-election and the ensuing 'crisis theory' within the party ahead of next year's general election, President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered a renewal of the party and cabinet, stating that "the people are always right." While the pro-Yoon faction interprets this remark as a declaration of intent to "run towards the people," the anti-Yoon faction has responded critically, urging him to "step forward and raise your voice directly."

Pro-Yoon People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yong positively evaluated the statement on the 19th during SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' saying, "Regarding the defeat in the Gangseo District Mayor by-election, we clearly acknowledge it and see it only as a sign that we will now run towards the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The day before, President Yoon held a meeting with his aides at the Yongsan Presidential Office and said, "The people are always right," adding, "We must not make excuses in the face of any criticism," according to a briefing by Chief Secretary for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye. This expressed his intention for 'renewal.'

Lawmaker Lee predicted that although President Yoon had previously emphasized national debt stability, he would now focus on addressing the people's livelihood in his politics. He said, "Looking at next year's budget, we cut back on R&D projects and reduced national subsidies. I think there was quite a bit of public dissatisfaction about that. Now, while maintaining national debt stability, I believe we need to consider the feelings of the people."

On the other hand, the anti-Yoon faction holds a critical stance. Former lawmaker Yoo said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' "If the president truly intends to change, if he wants to change, he must now step forward before the people," adding, "He shouldn't have these words recited through the mouths of the Yongsan spokesperson or some public relations secretary, saying that President Yoon Suk-yeol made such good remarks today. Why can't he come out before the people?"

He continued, "Whether it's a press conference or something else, he must step forward. Why is he hiding behind others at such a critical time, having the public relations secretary speak on his behalf?" and said, "I believe the president needs to have the desperate spirit he had before becoming president even now."

While talking about 'reflection,' there has been no specific apology for past mismanagement. Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok also said on YTN's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon' in response to the host's question about whether a change in government policy had begun, "There needs to be a specific acknowledgment of the issues that influenced the Gangseo by-election, with examples. Saying 'We were wrong, it won't happen again, and we will immediately correct it' must be included," adding, "Only then will people think, 'Wow, the president, who is usually proud and reluctant to admit mistakes, is saying this, so maybe something is really changing.'"

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