"'Son of Daegu' Yoo Seung-min's TK Landing Operation... 'Discovered Great Hope'"

Yoo Seung-min's 4th Visit to TK After Declaring Presidential Run
"We Must Unite for Regime Change in March Next Year"
"I Will Visit TK to Reconcile with Those Who Criticize Me"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is currently ranked within the top three in the party's presidential primary. He is classified as the third force amid the two-strong rivalry between former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo. Despite his high public recognition and firmly established image as a moderate conservative and reformist conservative, he has a fatal weakness: the sentiment of Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK). The assessment that he betrayed former President Park Geun-hye follows him like a divine punishment.

Provided by Yoo Seung-min Camp

In fact, although he is a strong candidate with expansion potential among moderate voters in the event of a two-strong rivalry in the general election, there is also significant skepticism about whether he can win the party primary. If he becomes the People Power Party's presidential candidate, he would be the worst opponent for the rival party in terms of policy capability, debate skills, and orientation, but becoming the party's presidential candidate itself is more difficult for him than for any other candidate. Especially, the TK sentiment is a tough challenge. Since the largest number of party members reside in this area, if he cannot win the hearts of TK, there is no chance of victory.

After officially declaring his presidential candidacy on the 26th of last month, former lawmaker Yoo visited the TK area on the 26th and 27th, then again on the 29th and 30th. He also visited Daegu on the 13th. Considering that he plans to stay in the area again during Chuseok, this is his fourth visit since declaring his candidacy. Being from Daegu and having served the Daegu Dong-gu district for a long time, his visits to TK might be a natural step. However, unlike other politicians, the process is never smooth for him.

For example, when he visited the birthplace of former President Park Jeong-hee in Sangmo-dong, Gumi City, Gyeongbuk on the 19th, he faced fierce resistance from conservative groups such as members of the Our Republican Party. They shouted, "Why did the traitor come?" It took an hour just to get to the memorial hall, causing turmoil. Moreover, a person waiting inside the memorial hall rushed at and attacked former lawmaker Yoo.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After paying respects to former President Park, Yoo said, "I am sorry that the police had to work so hard," and "Although I haven't visited often, I came after a long time and there was a lot of commotion. Still, I am glad to have been able to pay respects and look around the photos inside the birthplace." At this occasion, he said, "I respected former President Park Jeong-hee long before entering politics," and "I supported the impeachment according to my conscience and conviction." Given the location, these two messages contained his sincerity. Like former President Park Jeong-hee, who contributed to overcoming long-term poverty, he expressed his determination to "solve the problem of making a living," and he was proud of his political decision that led to being pelted with stones in his hometown.

He said, "After the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, conservatism was divided, and citizens were split like this. As a citizen and a politician, even paying respects to former President Park Jeong-hee is difficult in our reality," adding, "I feel very sorry about this reality and always feel responsible for the division of conservatism after the impeachment." He continued, "I often visit Daegu and Gyeongbuk to reconcile with those citizens who criticize and insult me," and "I believe they all share the same concern for the country. Because people are truly disillusioned and frustrated with the Moon Jae-in administration's failures, I hope that regardless of past political choices, we can unite for the March presidential election next year and achieve regime change."

Former lawmaker and People Power Party presidential candidate Yoo Seung-min visited Daegu Seomun Market on the 13th, eating noodles and encouraging those around him to eat as well.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to former lawmaker Yoo's camp, they are not expected to seek punishment for the person who attacked him. A camp official said, "Fortunately, the candidate was not injured, and even if he had been, the attacker is not someone to be criminally prosecuted," adding, "They are all people who care about the country, so we are prepared to endure this."

However, there are also reports that grassroots sentiment has already begun to change. On the day Yoo was threatened at former President Park Jeong-hee's birthplace, he was warmly welcomed by young people in Dongsung-ro, the mecca of youth in downtown Daegu. In the market and on the streets, he received encouragement rather than criticism. Perhaps the river of impeachment that he spoke of is beginning to seem crossable to him.

When he visited Seomun Market in Daegu on the 13th, those who criticized him loudly disrupted the event throughout the market area. Facing the opponents who hurled insults, he smiled and greeted them with "Please enjoy your meal."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

A camp official said at the time, "We found great hope." The official explained, "There used to be some aggressive reactions, but those reactions have disappeared," adding, "There were YouTubers loudly criticizing him, but passing citizens pointed out that those people were the problem." He also introduced, "One citizen said, 'Still, the one born and raised in Daegu is Yoo Seung-min. The kid.'" This indicates that there has been a change in grassroots sentiment.

"When I actually went there, I saw welcoming and affectionate attitudes," he said, "Some people deliberately came to meet former lawmaker Yoo, and the positive response from the younger generation continued."

The official predicted, "If some possibility is confirmed in TK, support from Jungdo-chung (moderate voters, metropolitan area, youth) will follow, and if possibility is confirmed in Jungdo-chung, TK will follow as well."