Yoo Seung-min: "Yoon Seok-yeol, who sought a 30-year sentence for Park Geun-hye... was too harsh"

Former National Assembly Member Yoo Seung-min [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min referred to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as "the person who served as the special prosecutor investigation team leader and demanded a 30-year prison sentence for former President Park Geun-hye." This remark is interpreted as Yoo, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election again at the end of last year, attempting to check Yoon, who is considered a leading opposition candidate.

On the 8th, Yoo spoke at a lecture of the party's current and former lawmakers' group 'Mapo Forum,' stating, "Former President Park is currently serving a 24-year prison sentence. The arrest, indictment, prosecution, and the court's sentencing were too harsh."

Regarding Yoon's high approval ratings in polls, he said, "The current support will not remain the same," adding, "There will be several moments when it fluctuates." He also mentioned, "I do not think that approval ratings necessarily indicate the qualifications to be president."

On the same day, Yoo said, "Our party must always be open," and added, "Raising the party's approval through change and innovation is the way to increase the possibility that he (Yoon) will join our party."

Addressing criticism that he was labeled a 'traitor' during the process of supporting Park's impeachment and founding the Bareun Party, he emphasized, "It was my political conviction, I have no regrets at all, and even if the same situation arises now, I would make the same choice."

Regarding this, Kim Moo-sung, co-representative of the Mapo Forum and former lawmaker, defended Yoo concerning the party-government conflict over civil servant pension reform during the Park Geun-hye administration, saying, "At that time, Floor Leader Yoo did nothing wrong," and added, "It was Park Geun-hye who was at fault."

Meanwhile, Yoo evaluated former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, saying, "Whether he holds a position or not, he is definitely someone who will play a role in nominating a competitive single candidate and achieving regime change." He also added, "I met him yesterday and asked him to take on any role, and although he did not give a clear answer, I got the impression that he would take on such a role."