'Book Publication and Public Sentiment Tour' Opposition Presidential Bus Starts... Moving Opposition Candidates

From Yoon Seok-yeol, Yoo Seung-min, and Won Hee-ryong to Ha Tae-kyung, Choi Jae-hyung, and Kim Dong-yeon

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is listening to reporters' questions while moving to attend the opening ceremony of the Independence Activist Woo Dang Lee Hoe-yeong Memorial Hall held at Namsan Yejang Park, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] One week after the People Power Party's leadership election, the opposition's presidential race has officially begun. Presidential candidates inside and outside the party are starting their campaigns, making their presence felt.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the former Prosecutor General and the biggest topic in the opposition, announced his intention to embark on a public sentiment tour after declaring his presidential bid at the end of this month. Lee Dong-hoon, spokesperson for Yoon's campaign, appeared on the radio on the 18th and said, "Due to practical circumstances, it might be delayed, but I think the date will be around the 27th," adding, "Ultimately, we are planning to take steps to enter the hearts of the people."

After the public sentiment tour, he is expected to proceed with joining the People Power Party. When asked during the radio interview whether it is safe to assume that joining the People Power Party is a given, Lee replied, "Yes, I think you can assume that."

Yoo Seung-min, former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker, who expressed his intention to run for president by opening the 'Hope 22' campaign office last November, has recently accelerated his activities. Yoo will hold the 'Hope 22 Companion Forum' in Daegu on the 20th and have a dialogue with former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon. At this event, Yoo plans to listen to the stories of young and middle-aged citizens for future policy development.

Yoo's camp is reportedly planning to publish a book outlining his economic philosophy next month and make a vision announcement.

Another opposition figure, Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, will also publish a book in the form of a dialogue collection next month. On the 17th, he held the launch ceremony of the fan club 'Friends One,' which gathered about 100 supporters from the 2030 generation, targeting the youth demographic. According to Won's camp, he is currently contemplating when to resign from his governorship.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), also solidified his intention to run by publishing his first book, "Top-Class Normal State: Politics in the Post-Corona Era with the Next Generation," on the 17th.

Hataek Ha, a member of the People Power Party who declared his presidential candidacy, is announcing his presidential pledges for the Chungcheong region on the morning of the 17th in front of the Roh Moo-hyun Memorial Park within Sejong Lake Park in Sejong City. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Within the party, Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, was the first to kick off the presidential race. On the morning of the 15th, he declared his candidacy via Facebook and YouTube. His presidential pledges include introducing a direct election system for the Prosecutor General and abolishing the Ministry of Justice.

In his declaration, Ha said, "Watching the Cho Kuk incident and the 'Chu-Yoon conflict,' I thought that if we don't fix Korea's broken political calculator, big trouble will come," adding, "A Korea where science and intelligence overcome irrationality and rumors?that is the country I want to build as president."

Other potential opposition presidential candidates, such as Choi Jae-hyung, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and Kim Dong-yeon, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, appear to be warming up. Choi, who is reportedly considering running, revealed for the first time on the 18th that he will soon announce his position regarding his candidacy. During a plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, in response to a question from Choi Kang-wook of the Open Democratic Party asking, "Is it appropriate for someone in a fixed-term position like the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection to talk about running for president?" Choi said, "I am well aware of the many rumors and speculations in the media and political circles about my future or whether I should take on another role," adding, "I will organize my thoughts and announce my position on this matter."

Former Deputy Prime Minister Kim recently visited Andong, Gyeongbuk, to give a special lecture and plans to volunteer at a free meal center for the homeless at Myeongdong Cathedral on the 20th, continuing his active campaign. He is also reportedly planning to publish a book soon and hold a book launch event.