Declining Approval Ratings, Opposition Contacts Impact
"Removing Uncertainty, Able to Work While Retaining Party Affiliation"
Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, visited the People Power Party Central Office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. After submitting his party membership application to Kwon Young-se, Chairman of the External Cooperation Committee, he is taking a commemorative photo. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy reporters Park Cheol-eung and Park Joon-yi] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has endured harsh times since declaring his political participation at the end of last month. Despite continuing his public engagements amid his mother-in-law’s arrest and various controversies surrounding his wife, controversies (舌禍) did not cease. Various opinion polls that once overwhelmingly favored him over ruling party candidates showed a downward trend. On the 30th, he made a sudden entry into the People Power Party. This came as People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and others urged him to quickly get on the 'primary election bus,' and it seems Yoon also felt a turning point was necessary.
On that day, Yoon visited the People Power Party headquarters and stated, "For regime change, it is only proper to join the main opposition party and start fairly from the initial primary election. I also believe that by doing so, the People Power Party can gain broader and more universal support from the people, which is why I decided to join today."
The biggest rationale was to 'remove uncertainty.' He said, "Actually, I wanted to take more time to listen to diverse public opinions, but after meeting many people over the past month, I decided to quickly inform the public that I should eliminate such uncertainty and go with the People Power Party from the start," adding, "I felt that I could work to receive broad support and backing from those who desire regime change even as a party member."
Initially, his plan was interpreted as listening to opinions widely without party affiliation. He might also have judged that raising his approval ratings as much as possible before joining would be advantageous in the party primary. However, it now appears he decided it is better to enter the main opposition party’s fold and receive organized support.
Advice from political figures who contacted him may have played a role. People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won told reporters that day, "I conveyed to former Prosecutor General Yoon that it would be better to join the party as soon as possible," and lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, a longtime friend of Yoon, reportedly advised him last week to "build a campaign and join the party."
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and performing a background panel coloring performance before the meeting begins. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Yoon’s camp publicly announced the name 'National Camp' on the 25th and appointed numerous People Power Party figures, including former party spokesperson Yoon Hee-seok, former emergency committee member Kim Byung-min, and former organization deputy chief Ham Kyung-woo. On the same day, during a 'chimaek' (chicken and beer) meeting with People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, they confirmed a shared intention. At that time, Lee described the meeting with Yoon as 'similar' and said, "We will consider ways to create synergy." Yoon also met with party figures such as Chairman Kwon, Lee Jun-seok, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon.
Lawmaker Jang said, "I met with former Prosecutor General Yoon last night and received his decision to join the party," adding, "But he said there were people he needed to talk to and asked to leave the timing a bit to him." He continued, "Then suddenly this morning, he said he wanted to join, and I told him it was a good decision." Chairman of External Cooperation Kwon Young-se also said, "I was contacted around 11 a.m. today."
Meanwhile, People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who was absent from the press conference due to a schedule in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, said in a meeting with reporters, "It seems he chose to join suddenly due to security reasons," and added, "Yoon responded positively to the primary election bus starting in August, and I think that has significant meaning." The People Power Party leadership plans to hold an official event next week to welcome Yoon’s entry.
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