Yoon Seok-yeol's Repeated Gaffes... "Difficult to Expand Vote Base," Opposition's 'Inner Turmoil'

Repeated Blunders Including 'Jeon Du-hwan Defense', '120-Hour Workweek', 'Illegal Food'
"Distorted Historical Awareness" Criticized by Opposition Candidates
Lee Jun-seok: "Won't Rush to Judge, But Party Efforts May Be Harmed"

Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading presidential candidate from the People Power Party, continues to make gaffes including 'defending Jeon Du-hwan,' internal party conflicts are intensifying. Other presidential contenders criticized Yoon for having 'problems with historical awareness,' and opposition party leaders also expressed concerns that Yoon's competitiveness in the presidential race is weakening.

◆From 'Defending Jeon Du-hwan' to 'Illegal Food'... Repeated Gaffes by Yoon

Yoon's controversial remarks first emerged on the 19th when he visited the People Power Party's Haeundae Gap branch office in Busan. On that day, Yoon stated, "Although former President Jeon Du-hwan made mistakes, many say that except for the military coup and the May 18 incident, his politics were good," adding, "There are quite a few people in Honam who say the same."

He continued, "Why do they say (his politics were good)? Because he was in the military and had experience managing organizations, so he entrusted matters to experts," and "People involved in politics at the time said, 'You who know the National Assembly well should handle it,' and handed over most things. Although there was the 'three lows phenomenon' at the time, things ran smoothly because they entrusted it that way," he emphasized.

He then added, "If I become president, I will select the best talents regardless of region or background, place them in the right positions, and manage the system," and "We must appoint top experts in fields like finance and budgeting to properly help the people."

On the morning of the 21st, Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, announced youth policy pledges at the party's central office in Yeouido, Seoul. At this event, Candidate Yoon stated, "I humbly accept the criticism regarding my remarks defending Jeon Du-hwan and express my regret." / Photo by Yonhap News

Yoon's remarks drew criticism not only from the ruling party but also from other opposition presidential candidates. Eventually, two days after his 'defending Jeon Du-hwan' comment, on the 21st, Yoon expressed regret, stating, "I regret my remarks," and clarified, "My comments at the Haeundae party branch were never meant to defend or praise the Fifth Republic regime."

This is not the only instance of Yoon's gaffes. Earlier, in July, during an interview with a media outlet, he sparked controversy by saying, "If it is illegal food, people without money should be allowed to choose even lower-quality options."

In the same interview, Yoon was also criticized for having a distorted view of labor. At that time, conveying the opinions of startup youths he met, he said, "To develop a single game, you should work intensely not 52 hours a week but even 120 hours a week, and then be able to rest freely afterward."

◆"If such incidents continue, expanding support will be difficult" - Concerns Within the Party

As the gaffes repeated, dissatisfaction with Yoon grew within the party.

Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, criticized Yoon's 'defending Jeon Du-hwan' remarks during the party's presidential TV debate on the 20th, saying, "Former President Park Chung-hee seized power through the May 17 coup, an improper method, but did not kill civilians like in the May 18 incident. The Jeon Du-hwan regime denied Article 1 of the Constitution that the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party (second from the left), is entering the entrance of the Yeosun Incident Victims Memorial Monument in Manheung-dong, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do on the morning of the 21st. / Photo by Yonhap News

Another presidential candidate, Hong Joon-pyo, also posted on his Facebook on the 21st, stating, "How can one perform the presidency with a distorted historical awareness? If I were the party leader, (Yoon) would be subject to expulsion," adding, "Even during Hitler's era, Germany experienced significant economic development. Does that mean candidate Yoon praises Hitler as well? It is truly a foolish and ignorant idea."

Party leadership also voiced concerns that Yoon is "weakening his own competitiveness."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, after paying respects at the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Memorial Tower in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, told reporters, "It is difficult for the party leader to express an official stance as it might affect the primary process, but Yoon Seok-yeol's thoughts are at odds with the party's official position," adding, "I will not hastily judge that Yoon made such remarks with malice, but if such incidents continue, the candidate will be the first to feel difficulties in expanding his support base. I am worried that residents in the Honam region might doubt the sincerity of the People Power Party and that past efforts might instead cause wounds."