Yoon's Campaign Donations Near 2 Billion on First Day... Record for Fastest and Largest Fundraising Across All Parties

Donation account opened less than a day, fundraising limit nearly 80% reached
Yoon Seok-yeol: "I believe this is the public's support and encouragement to live comfortably based on common sense"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading opposition presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, raised about 2 billion KRW in donations within less than a day of opening his fundraising account, reaching approximately 80% of the limit.

On the 26th, Yoon's campaign spokesperson office announced, "As of 4:30 PM, about 15,000 donors have contributed a total of approximately 1,954,183,789 KRW," adding, "We sincerely thank the public for their support and participation."

According to the National Election Commission, candidates running in this presidential election can raise up to 2,565,450,000 KRW through their campaign fundraising committees, with a donation limit of 10 million KRW per individual donor.

Earlier on the 26th, Yoon disclosed his fundraising account around 8:30 AM and reached 76% of the fundraising limit in less than a day.

After meeting Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the same day, Yoon responded to reporters' questions about the fundraising by saying, "I believe this is the public's support and encouragement to restore common sense and to live predictably and comfortably based on common sense," and expressed his "deep gratitude."

Yoon's record of raising 2 billion KRW on the first day is the "largest amount in the shortest period" among all presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties. This amount is roughly double the previous record set by Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who raised 900 million KRW by 6 PM on the first day of fundraising on the 10th. Yoon has also already surpassed the 1,409,780,000 KRW that Lee raised by 6 PM the following day.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon raised about 814 million KRW in one day, and former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae raised about 200 million KRW in one day.

President Moon Jae-in raised 731,080,000 KRW within a day and a half after opening his account as a preliminary candidate in the 2017 20th presidential election.

Photo by actor Kim Bu-seon, captured from social networking service (SNS)

Meanwhile, among the donors, actress Kim Bu-seon attracted attention.

On the same day, Kim revealed on her social media that she donated 100,000 KRW to Yoon, saying, "It would be an easier life if he did not take that path, but it is more regrettable because he walks the stormy road. Above all, I believe in his upright conviction."

In a follow-up comment, she showed support for Yoon by saying, "I donated to a politician for the first time in my life. I feel good."