Yoon Seok-yeol's Consecutive Visits to Religious Communities... Emphasizing 'Politics of Unity'

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul at the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 9th, and is seen talking with Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunji Kwon] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, emphasized politics of unity through a series of religious sector visits.

On the 11th, Candidate Yoon visited Kang Seong-sam Hall at Catholic University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to pay a courtesy call on Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung. This came just two days after meeting Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek at the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul in Jung-gu on the 9th, marking another visit to a senior Catholic figure.

At the meeting, Cardinal Yeom emphasized the ‘spirit of tolerance.’ He said, “Those who occupy and live in this world must be gentle,” adding, “Perfect love forgives others' faults and does not get angry at others' mistakes.” In response, Candidate Yoon said, “As Cardinal Yeom said, ‘Politics is the art of making people comfortable,’ it is ultimately a process of a (gentle) society.”

Cardinal Yeom also urged Candidate Yoon to pursue ‘politics of hope.’ He stated, “These days, young people cannot even buy houses or get married easily, so there is no hope,” and added, “I pray that our politics can become politics that gives hope.”

Candidate Yoon’s consecutive visits to religious circles are interpreted as an effort to highlight politics of unity. Professor Kim Hyung-jun of Myongji University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, “The religious sector broadly encompasses both conservatives and progressives, symbolizing unity,” and added, “Meeting with the religious sector is effective in consolidating votes toward the end of the election.” Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party’s election campaign headquarters, explained Candidate Yoon’s visit by saying, “This was a moment for the candidate to reflect on Cardinal Yeom’s words that ‘good politics is art, the art of helping people,’ and to pledge to continue politics of unity beyond ideology and factions.”

Some also analyze this move as a response to the recent backlash over remarks about the Moon Jae-in administration’s investigation into deep-rooted evils. Professor Lee Jun-han of Incheon National University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, “With less than a month left until the election, visits to religious groups, Honam, and civic organizations signify an all-out effort,” but added, “Given the impression of a retaliatory investigation against the Moon administration, there may be efforts to tone down the rhetoric.”

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