People Power Party Divides 'Dangsim' Between Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung

"Yoon, Similar Judgment to Immature Ahn Cheol-soo
\"Choi, Surprisingly Faster Decision Than I Thought\"

Despite Lee Jun-seok's Mixed Evaluation
Support for Yoon Emerges Within People Power Party"

Former Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection Choi Jae-hyung (left) and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Boryeong Geum] The People Power Party demanded that party members' presidential election support activities be limited to internal party personnel, but on the 22nd, public support for Yoon Seok-yeol, a candidate outside the party, was expressed for the first time. In the absence of a strong presidential candidate within the party, signs are emerging that the 'party sentiment' is being divided between two figures, Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung.

On the 22nd, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on a radio show and evaluated Yoon's recent approval rating trend as 'dangerous,' harshly criticizing it by saying, "He is making a judgment very similar to the one Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, made when he was politically inexperienced." He said, "The fact that Yoon stays outside the party for a long time is something we understand in terms of his intention to expand centrist support and secure backing," but he viewed Yoon's successive moves as heading in the wrong direction. On the other hand, regarding former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, who joined the party immediately after resigning, Lee praised him, saying, "Some people survive on just one good story, but I am confident that former Chairman Choi is not one of them," and added, "His decision-making is a bit faster than the tempo I expected, which is surprising."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite Lee’s mixed evaluations, support for Yoon Seok-yeol is becoming visible within the People Power Party. On the same day, Lee Yang-su, a People Power Party lawmaker, declared his support on Facebook, saying, "We need to properly lift up and move forward with Yoon Seok-yeol as a preliminary candidate to enhance the presidential election competitiveness of the broader opposition." Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member, also appeared on a radio show and defended Yoon, saying, "Our party will protect and cherish him, so let’s join hands."

Meanwhile, Yoon and Choi continued their political activities focused on expanding their base and securing internal stability. Yoon planned to visit the Seoul Nurses Association to listen to their difficulties and discuss ways to improve their treatment. Choi planned to visit the National Assembly to meet with People Power Party lawmakers. A meeting with former National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa was also scheduled. This meeting was to express gratitude to Speaker Chung, who has previously expressed support for Choi.