Yoon Seok-yeol Sparks Controversy Again... "Many Say Jeon Du-hwan Did Well Politically Except for May 18"

To the party's presidential candidates: "The main actors of four consecutive defeats"
Hong Joon-pyo: "Is it appropriate for someone who rose to power by destroying the party to speak?"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, raises his hand to greet after speaking at the 'Gyeongnam Election Committee Appointment Ceremony' held at the Gyeongnam Provincial Party Office in Uichang-gu, Changwon, on the afternoon of the 19th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, has come under fire for remarks that seemed to defend former President Chun Doo-hwan and for likening fellow party presidential candidates to the "main actors of four consecutive defeats" during his visit to Haeundae, Busan. As the party's primary schedule nears its end, the intensity of his remarks appears to have increased.

On the 19th, Yoon visited the office of Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker from Haeundae-gap, Busan, and mentioned former President Chun, saying, "Except for the military coup and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, there are mistakes, but many say he did well politically," adding, "Even people from Honam say such things."

This statement came in the context of his claim that the president's role is to manage systems and personnel placement well. Yoon said, "In reality, governing the country is very difficult," and added, "Former President Chun also managed organizations in the military, so he entrusted the economy to experts."

He also targeted Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and current governor of Gyeonggi Province, saying, "Did the country end up in this state because of good policies? When corruption is rampant and power is used for money-making schemes, policies are useless; they vanish with a puff."

He then pledged to place experts in the right positions. Yoon explained, "Even with some knowledge gained from investigating economic and political powers, I cannot do it alone. I plan to select top experts and place them appropriately, manage the entire system, and as president, communicate with the people and focus only on the agendas that need attention."

Yoon also sparked controversy with strong remarks during his morning visit. At the office of Kim Mi-ae, a People Power Party lawmaker from Haeundae-eul, he targeted rival candidates Yoo Seung-min, former lawmaker, and Hong Joon-pyo, People Power Party lawmaker, calling them "the main actors of four consecutive defeats" and said, "As new blood, I will change the party together with meaningful politicians."

Referring to when he joined the People Power Party, Yoon said, "Our party candidates were shocked. They asked, 'How long have you been in?' I said three months," and pointed out, "Former lawmaker Yoo has been here a bit over a year, and lawmaker Hong for four months."

He continued, "Why would I come to this party? To use the party as a shield to become president? No. The party must change. Those who have been in the party for a long time are important resources, but when the party innovates, external blood transfusion is necessary," he added.

In response to these remarks, lawmaker Hong immediately rebutted. On Facebook that day, he said, "Is it appropriate for someone who rose to sudden prominence by serving as an agent of the Moon Jae-in administration and severely destroying our party when it was on the brink of extinction after four consecutive defeats to say such things?" He added, "You should know that in politics, if you act recklessly without knowing heaven and earth, you disappear without a trace."

He further said, "His behavior is shameless like candidate Lee," and added, "Honestly, it's outrageous."