Yoon Seok-yeol: "I Will Run for President While Being a Member of the People Power Party"... Timing Undisclosed

Yoon Seok-yeol Says There Must Be a "Behind-the-Scenes" Cause for Mural Defaming His Wife

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Yoon Seok-yeol, the former Prosecutor General who declared his presidential bid, expressed his intention to join the People Power Party on the 29th. However, he did not provide a specific answer regarding the timing of his party membership.

In an interview with Yonhap News TV on the same day, Yoon said, "If I join the People Power Party, it is for regime change," adding, "Ultimately, I have to join hands with the People Power Party and run for election as a member of the party, right?"

Regarding the timing of his joining, he said, "Please watch a little longer to see what activities I will undertake before joining, how many people I will communicate with, and how I will make my decision. I will make sure it is not boring."

When asked by the host about reports that he might join as early as next week, he replied, "Please understand that it is difficult to say it is wrong or to confirm that it is correct."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the proposal for a meeting from Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, Yoon said, "Rather than meeting immediately in the next few days, it might be better to meet around the time I decide my course of action," adding, "Even if we meet now, there is not much to discuss."

On his recent drop in approval ratings, he joked, "At first, I didn't care much, but when the ratings go up, I feel good, and when they go down, I wonder why."

He continued, "If the ratings keep going down, I ask those around me, 'What is the cause?' I can't help but pay attention to the ratings," and said, "I also think I should calmly assess and fix what needs to be fixed."

Regarding the Democratic Party's presidential primary, he said, "I thought Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung was the most favorable, but since former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is gaining ground, I think I should watch the outcome as a citizen of the nation."

In response to ruling party candidates pointing out his lack of political experience, he countered, "Being a prosecutor requires analysis and understanding of various fields in our society," adding, "Maybe they say that because they have never worked as prosecutors handling economic cases."

Meanwhile, Yoon criticized the mural defaming his wife, Kim Geon-hee, saying, "No matter how messy politics is, has South Korea really come to this level?" He added, "There must obviously be someone behind this. Should we believe the person who painted this acted alone?" He also added, "This goes beyond family issues; it is a matter of women's rights that cannot be overlooked."