Why Yoon Seok-yeol, Choi Jae-hyung, and Kim Dong-yeon Walked Out Abruptly...

Rising as a Leading Opposition Presidential Candidate
Due to the Closed Nature of the Moon Administration Ignoring Dissent

From the left, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Kim Dong-yeon, Chairperson of the Board of Audit and Inspection Choi Jae-hyung (Source=Asia Economy DB)

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Lee Hyun-joo] High-ranking officials who played a foundational role in the current administration's economy, judiciary, and audit sectors. Those who rose to prominence riding the wave of the Moon Jae-in government are now emerging as leading presidential candidates from the opposition party, marking an unprecedented political phenomenon. This is the so-called rebellion of the ‘Men of Moon (文)’. While this reflects the weakness of the opposition, which lacks a strong presidential candidate, it is also pointed out that the root cause lies in the current administration's closed-mindedness, which does not tolerate differing opinions.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, whom the president praised as ‘the Prosecutor General of the Moon Jae-in government,’ former Economy Minister Kim Dong-yeon, who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, and the current Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection. Yoon has effectively confirmed his move to the opposition party, and the likelihood of the other two following suit is currently very high. Choi Jae-hyung, the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who has already been labeled an ‘opposition figure’ by the ruling party and given up on, will soon announce his decision on running for president. Former Minister Kim firmly denied the ruling party leader’s classification of him as ‘close to the Democratic Party,’ saying, ‘That is his opinion.’

All three were welcomed with near cheers when recruited by the current administration. However, Yoon transformed into an opposition presidential candidate after clashing with the administration during the 2019 ‘Cho Kuk incident.’ Chairman Choi was involved in the audit related to the economic feasibility manipulation of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, and former Minister Kim was at the center of conflicts over the ‘income-led growth theory.’ They share the common experience of having faced persecution afterward. This marks the starting point of their transformation or betrayal.

Professor Kang Jun-man, emeritus at Jeonbuk National University, said on a radio program, “It was the current administration and former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae who made Yoon a presidential candidate.” Political commentator Yoo Chang-sun defined, “People who reject differing opinions and have no attitude to coexist have no intention of practicing democracy.”

It is rare in Korean political history for a key official from the ruling party to run as a presidential candidate for the opposition. The closest example is former lawmaker Lee In-je, who served as Minister of Labor under the Kim Young-sam government but lost to Lee Hoi-chang in the ruling New Korea Party’s presidential primary. He then founded the People’s New Party and ran against his former party’s candidate in the presidential election. However, since he initially aimed to be the ruling party candidate before changing direction, his case differs from those of Yoon Seok-yeol, Choi Jae-hyung, and Kim Dong-yeon. Going further back, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Jo Bong-am, who served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, ran as an independent against then-President Syngman Rhee, which is somewhat similar.

The presidential trajectories of these three, whose outcomes are unpredictable, are just beginning. Yoon is expected to declare his presidential bid as early as the 27th. Political commentator Jang Ye-chan, known to be close to Yoon, said with a personal wish, “Yoon’s actions before and after his political declaration will change dramatically. People will say, ‘Ah, that’s it.’” Chairman Choi is also gaining expectations among citizens who desire regime change, thanks to his image of standing against the current administration. He is considered the ‘Plan B’ of the opposition in case Yoon’s competitiveness weakens. Former Minister Kim is also increasingly expected to run as an opposition presidential candidate. Recently, he has been visiting local economic sites to reinforce his image as an expert well-versed in the ‘people’s economy.’