Yoon Seok-yeol Emphasizes Support Across Centrist and Progressive, but Talent Recruitment Takes a 'Rightward Shift'

Former JoongAng Ilbo Editor-in-Chief Park Bo-gyun
Former Minister of Industry Yoon Jin-sik Recruited

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is promoting party membership in front of Eungam Station in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign announced on the 4th that it has recruited Park Bo-gyun, former editor-in-chief of JoongAng Ilbo, as a standing advisor, and Yoon Jin-sik, former Minister of Industry and Resources, as an economic advisor. Although the campaign claims to embrace support from centrists and some progressive factions, so far it has mainly attracted conservative figures.

Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party and the general director of Yoon's campaign, announced these additional appointments for the "People's Campaign" during a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day.

Former editor Park worked as a journalist for about 40 years, serving as political chief, editorial writer, editor-in-chief, editor, and senior reporter at JoongAng Ilbo. At the end of last year, he wrote a column titled "Yoon Seok-yeol's Calm and Strong Spirit," stating, "Yoon Seok-yeol's fighting spirit was deeply instilled in the prosecution. His position changed to a 'plant general.' His status was destroyed. But Yoon Seok-yeol did not lose." Former Minister Yoon served as Chief of Economic Policy and Chief of Staff at the Blue House during the Lee Myung-bak administration and was a member of the 18th and 19th National Assembly representing the Grand National Party and Saenuri Party. This recruitment can be seen as bringing in a senior conservative journalist and an 'MB man.'

Additionally, Lee Cheol-gyu, a member of the People Power Party, will serve as head of the organization headquarters, and fellow party member Yoon Han-hong will take the role of general deputy director of the comprehensive situation room. Kang Seung-gyu, a former lawmaker, has been recruited as deputy head to jointly oversee the organization with Director Lee. Former Liberty Korea Party Policy Committee Chairman Jeong Yong-gi and former Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Joo Kwang-deok will also join the campaign.

Upon joining the People Power Party, former Prosecutor General Yoon emphasized expanding the campaign's reach through 'centrism,' but so far, only conservative expansion has continued. The only female recruits are former lawmaker Lee Du-a, who serves as spokesperson, and lawyer Choi Ji-hyun, who is deputy spokesperson.

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Yoon's remarks related to feminism on a radio show the previous day, saying, "I think he crossed the line. This is a very serious matter that could lead to withdrawal of support," and added, "From the perspective of centrists and especially women, these remarks are unforgivable."

Former Minsheng Party lawmaker Chae Yi-bae also criticized on Facebook the previous day, stating, "While the Yoon campaign claims to expand centrism, Yoon's actions are conservative and reactionary, and even the fairness and common sense declared in his candidacy announcement are absent, showing unreasonable behavior." Former lawmakers Kim Kwan-young and Kim Sung-sik also expressed no intention to join.

Meeting with reporters on the same day, Representative Jang said, "Those who supported former Prosecutor General Yoon have said they will not join the People Power Party, and we humbly accept that and will work to change the party's image through future policy actions," adding, "Yoon's expansion of outreach will be demonstrated through policy actions and future talent recruitment."