Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Political Declaration' After 118 Days... "We Will Reclaim the Stolen People's Sovereignty"

Officially Declares Presidential Bid
Many People Power Party Lawmakers Attend
Opens Office and Starts SNS Activities

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is entering the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where a press conference for his presidential election candidacy is being held on the morning of the 29th. 2021.6.29 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol officially declared on the 29th that he will participate in politics, stating, "We must reclaim the sovereignty of the people that was taken away." Former Prosecutor General Yoon held a press conference at 1 p.m. at the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, saying, "I will dedicate myself and take the lead for a regime change. All citizens and forces must unite their strength." This declaration of political participation came 118 days after he resigned on March 4 amid conflicts with the current government over prosecution reform and personnel matters.

Before the press conference, Former Prosecutor General Yoon read a prepared declaration for about 15 minutes. In the declaration, he stated, "Our country starts from the common sense of the people who achieved industrialization and democratization." He also said, "I will restore the values of free democracy, the rule of law, and fairness that have collapsed." Although he did not explicitly use the term ‘running for president’ in the declaration, by mentioning ‘political participation,’ it is interpreted that he officially confirmed his ‘presidential bid’ on this day.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is scheduled to hold a press conference at 1 p.m. on the 29th at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to announce his presidential candidacy. In the morning, wreaths of support from Yoon's supporters were placed in front of the Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

After continuing a period of ‘quiet study’ following his resignation as Prosecutor General, his final declaration to enter politics has greatly shaken the political world, with the presidential election just over eight months away. Immediately, within the ruling party, there were calls that he must ‘cross the river of verification’ to resolve the suspicions raised in the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol X-file.’ On the other hand, in the opposition party where he is expected to settle, the dominant response is that ‘the X-file will not be a problem at all.’ At the press conference, current members of the People Power Party, including Kwon Seong-dong, Yoon Ju-kyung, Jeong Jeom-sik, and Jeong Jin-seok, attended in person, showing solidarity.

He has been regarded as a ‘next presidential candidate’ since his tenure as Prosecutor General and has recently led in approval ratings in polls conducted until now. According to a survey commissioned by Asia Economy to WinG Korea Consulting, conducted from the 26th to 27th among 1,009 people aged 18 and over (with a sampling error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level), Former Prosecutor General Yoon received 30.7% support, ranking first. In a head-to-head contest between the top candidates of the ruling and opposition parties, he led Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (40.5%) by 8.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, after the press conference, Former Prosecutor General Yoon began systematic preparations for next year’s presidential election by launching an official SNS account and opening an office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.