With Yoon's Sentencing Date Approaching... Ruling Party's Potential Leaders Step Up Their Pace

Hong Joonpyo and Oh Sehoon Give Special Lectures at Universities
Move to Secure Support from Conservatives and Anti-Lee Jaemyung Groups
Han Donghoon and Yoo Seungmin Seek to Break the "Traitor Frame"

Figures mentioned as potential frontrunners for the next presidential election from the ruling party have publicly increased face-to-face contacts, hastening efforts to secure their support base. As the ruling is expected soon in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol, this is interpreted as an attempt to preemptively check Lee Jae-myung, the leading opposition presidential candidate and leader of the Democratic Party, and to expand their own support base in advance.

On the 19th at 7 p.m., Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, is scheduled to attend a talk concert titled "Asking the Future of Korean Politics," hosted by the College of Social Sciences at Seoul National University, where he will share his views on the impeachment phase of President Yoon and the current political situation, as well as his vision for the future.

On the 20th, at the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport Investment Briefing held at the Fairmont Hotel in Seoul, Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, delivered a greeting regarding the new airport plan. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

The day before, Mayor Hong appeared on the economic YouTube channel SamproTV, stating regarding President Yoon's impeachment trial and the next presidential election, "If dismissed, there will be great chaos; if accepted and an early election occurs, it will lead to a political civil war." On responsibility for the political turmoil, he pointed out, "It is a political outrage by the opposition coalition holding 192 seats. But the problem should have been resolved politically by the president," adding, "I believe both sides share responsibility."

On the 24th, Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, who will release his book 'Growth Again,' will give a special lecture at Soongsil University on the theme "Why Growth Again, A Nation for Future Generations," hosted by the National Council of Student Councils.

Mayor Oh has recently expressed in various interviews that being classified as a supporter of impeachment is a "misunderstanding." The schedules of Mayors Hong and Oh are mainly interpreted as moves to secure support from the traditional conservative base and the 2030 generation, who harbor resentment toward Lee Jae-myung.

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Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party who has officially declared his candidacy for the next presidential election, appeared on SBS YouTube the day before and said, "If (Lee Jae-myung) is found guilty of violating election laws in the second trial scheduled for the 26th, I think he should not run in this election before the Supreme Court ruling comes out," adding sharply, "After all five trial results are out and he is acquitted, then he should run."

On the other hand, Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, and Yoo Seung-min, former lawmaker, who support President Yoon's impeachment, have started efforts to break the "traitor frame" that could hinder them in the primary if an early election is held.

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Former leader Han held a talk show titled "Constitutional Amendment, Let's Change the Era" at Kyungpook National University the day before and met with reporters afterward.

Regarding his support for impeachment, Han said it was a decision he does not regret but apologized, saying, "During the decision-making process, especially those who support our conservatives kept coming to mind and appearing before my eyes, which was very painful and difficult."

Former lawmaker Yoo also said in an interview with YTN Radio that "It has been over 10 years, but I hope to resolve misunderstandings and reconcile with former President Park Geun-hye on a personal level," adding, "I have hoped for this regardless of any political schedule."

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