Controversy Over 'Undercover Party Members' "Apologize" Criticism, Yoon Says "I Just Asked for Active Voting"

Hataekyung "Is the problem the ears of the listening people?"
Yuseungmin "Isn't there no evidence?"
Yoon Seok-yeol "I hear talk of attempted interference"

Yoo Seung-min (from left), Ha Tae-kyung, Ahn Sang-soo, Choi Jae-hyung, Hwang Kyo-ahn, Won Hee-ryong, Hong Joon-pyo, and Yoon Seok-youl, preliminary candidates for the People Power Party presidential primary, are posing for a commemorative photo before the 6th broadcast debate held at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul on the afternoon of October 5, 2021. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] At the TV debate held on the 5th with eight presidential candidates from the People Power Party, criticism from intra-party competitors continued regarding the recent controversy over 'disguised party members' mentioned by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

Regarding this, at the debate on the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung pointed out, "Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol explained the disguised party member issue by saying, 'It was meant to oppose the Democratic Party, but the true intention was distorted,'" adding, "There is nothing wrong with Candidate Yoon's words, but the ears of the people listening always seem to have a problem." He continued, "Many party members have been hurt," and urged, "Sincerely apologize."

Earlier, on the 4th, former Prosecutor General Yoon posted on his Facebook, "Many young party members have joined our party," and stated, "I will set out on the path of regime change as one team with the new members." However, he also said, "There are rumors that some attempts by the Democratic Party to systematically interfere in our party's primary are being heard," seemingly raising suspicions of disguised party members, which caused controversy.

When questioned by lawmaker Ha, former Prosecutor General Yoon explained, "We welcome those who joined the party, but when you actually enter pro-Democratic Party communities, there are many posts saying that people who will not vote for our party in the general election have joined," adding, "We said we must work hard to vote and block the ruling party's schemes."

Then, when former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min asked again whether there was no evidence regarding the disguised party member issue, former Prosecutor General Yoon said, "There is evidence," explaining, "In the People Power Party's (online) gallery, Democratic Party or pro-Democratic Party supporters have double-registered and ask until when they can vote (for a candidate)."

When former lawmaker Yoo said, "Candidate Yoon should not say it is wrong just because there is evidence of disguised party members joining, but should use the evidence as the basis of the argument," Yoon evaded by saying, "It's just a call to vote more diligently."