"Defeated by Yoon in Showdown" to Yoo Seung-min... Seo Min Says "Form Brotherhood with Yoo Seung-jun"

Published 24 Apr.2022 14:18(KST)

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is answering questions from reporters after holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the morning of the 19th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who ran for governor of Gyeonggi Province under the People Power Party, claimed that the power of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol influenced the primary election process, leading to his defeat by lawmaker Kim Eun-hye. In response, Professor Seo Min of Dankook University criticized him, calling it "the most shameless statement since the era of Dangun."

On the 23rd, Professor Seo posted on his Facebook, listing remarks made by former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, singer Yoo Seung-jun, and Kim Sang-hyuk, expressing his criticism.

He mentioned, "Third place Yoo Seung-jun, is changing your mind illegal?" and "Second place Kim Sang-hyuk, you drank but it’s not drunk driving." Then he added, "First place Yoo Seung-min, lost because of the lingering power," sharing a screenshot of Yoo Seung-min’s Facebook post. He also mocked Yoo by suggesting he form a sworn brotherhood with Yoo Seung-jun.

Earlier, after losing to lawmaker Kim in the People Power Party primary for the June 1 local election for Gyeonggi governor, former lawmaker Yoo said the primary was neither fair nor reasonable, implying that he lost due to a confrontation with President-elect Yoon.

According to the People Power Party’s nomination management committee, in the primary held from the 20th to the 21st, Yoo Seung-min led the public opinion poll with 60.31%, far ahead of Kim Eun-hye’s 39.7%. However, in the party member vote, Yoo received 28.82%, trailing behind Kim’s 71.18%, resulting in Kim securing the candidacy.

On the 22nd, Yoo posted on his Facebook, "I lost again like a fool. The lingering power is tremendous," adding, "Though struck by an assassin’s blade, it is an honor for a general to fall on the battlefield."

He continued, "The world goes round and round, the moon waxes and wanes," and said, "It’s just like when the ‘Jinbak inspectors’ danced with knives in 2016. The dance of power’s blades eventually turns back on itself."

This refers to the controversy over the ‘Jinbak inspectors’ during the Park Geun-hye administration, who decided nominations by distinguishing between pro-Park and non-pro-Park candidates based on ‘Park’s heart’ (朴心). It is interpreted as implying that the strong influence of ‘Yoon’s heart’ (尹心) played a decisive role in selecting Kim, who served as President-elect Yoon’s spokesperson, as the final candidate in this primary.

Furthermore, Yoo said, "I wanted to be a salmon swimming upstream against the flowing river, but the current was strong and my strength insufficient," adding, "I was truly determined to work hard for the residents of Gyeonggi Province, but the biggest regret is not getting the chance to work. I will love Gyeonggi Province in ways other than politics."