Yoo Si-min: "ABC Theory Is a Tool to Analyze Politicians, Not to Divide Supporters"

Ruling Party and Supporters Stirred by Yoo Si-min's "ABC Theory"

Prime Minister Kim: "Why ABC... We Must Pursue the Path of Unity"

"Simply a Tool for Analyzing the Actions of Politicians and Critics"

Author Yoo Si-min clarified that the so-called "ABC theory," which recently stirred up the political circles and the ruling party's supporters, was "not intended to divide and label the support base, but rather served as a tool to analyze the actions of politicians and critics."

Author Yoo Si-min explaining the ABC theory. Maebulshow YouTube

On March 25, during an interview on the YouTube channel "Maebulshow," Yoo shared his thoughts on the criticism he received following his previous broadcast. Yoo had previously categorized supporters into three groups: Group A, which is value-oriented; Group B, which is focused on profit and success; and Group C, the intersection of both groups. He described Group A as the "core supporters" who like former presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in and support President Lee Jae-myung. Regarding Group B, he said, "These are people who claim to be pro-Myung but are the first to cast stones when problems arise."

After these remarks, pro-government online communities began to distinguish who belonged to each ABC group, and in the political arena, Yoo faced criticism for "creating divisions." On March 23, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok voiced a critical stance, saying, "There have been times in Korea when the economy and politics were divided into first, second, third, and fourth classes. Sometimes people try to divide citizens into groups like ABC, but what is clear is that now it is time for the people, businesses, and the government to unite and move forward together on the path of pragmatism, democracy, reform, and centrist integration."

On the broadcast, Yoo explained the ABC theory further, stating, "Every human being simultaneously has two motivations: the pursuit of self-interest for survival and the realization of social values." He added, "I simply wanted to explain which of these motivations is more dominant in the unique environment of the political sphere."

Yoo argued, "Among ordinary citizens or party members, the value-oriented Group A is much larger and overwhelming in size." He continued, "In contrast, within the world of professional politicians or public speakers, the influence of the interest-driven Group B tends to increase." The core of his argument is that outstanding leaders emerge from Group C, where these two values are harmonized.

Meanwhile, regarding Prime Minister Kim's recent comment describing him as a "Gangnam intellectual," Yoo said, "It is factually accurate, so I am not offended at all," and added, "As a critic rather than a person in power, I am only responsible for the logical consistency of my words." Previously, on March 19, it was revealed in a Telegram message exchanged between Assemblyman Kim Hyun of the Democratic Party and Prime Minister Kim prior to a plenary session of the National Assembly that the prime minister described Yoo as "a Gangnam intellectual who enjoys fame and TV appearances." Afterward, Prime Minister Kim issued a public apology to Yoo.

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