"Unusually Difficult-to-Understand Events Occur Under the Current Government"
Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is answering students' questions at the 'People Power Party Seoul Campus General Assembly' held on the evening of the 25th at the Rose Hall of the Hoam Faculty House Guesthouse, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited his alma mater Seoul National University to discuss national governance with young people.
On the 25th, Candidate Yoon held a meeting with about 60 students at the Hoam Faculty House of Seoul National University. On this day, the students asked sharp questions one after another to Candidate Yoon.
When a student asked, "If you become president, how will you manage national governance against the powerful opposition party?" Candidate Yoon emphasized cooperation. He said, "To cooperate, we need to meet frequently. If I become president, I will often meet and have meals with ruling party members who have opposing philosophies. We will not just sit among our own side and engage in desk-bound discussions."
There was also a question regarding the composition of the People Power Party's election campaign committee. A student pointed out, "Candidate Yoon has emphasized the importance of placing talented people in the right positions, but recently, seeing the discord with former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in over the campaign committee appointments, doesn't this indicate problems in personnel management even if you become president?" In response, Candidate Yoon said, "Personnel is everything, but managing national governance is truly difficult," adding, "Good personnel provide good administrative services to the people. I cannot say I am 100% confident, but I will do my best."
When another student asked, "What would you do if a close aide is involved in corruption?" Candidate Yoon replied, "Just as other administrations besides the current one have done," which caused laughter in the venue.
Candidate Yoon explained, "Looking at past former presidents, whether the civilian government, the Roh Moo-hyun administration, or the MB administration, if their children or close aides committed corruption, they were subject to judicial punishment," adding, "Even during military regimes, if such cases were revealed, it was difficult to overlook them due to public sentiment. Especially after democratization, all administrations have done so."
He continued, "It is not a difficult task and is something that must be done," saying, "Under this government, unusually incomprehensible things have been happening. We just need to preserve the good traditions we have."
There was also a question about Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo, who competed in the People Power Party presidential primary. When a student asked, "Hong Assemblyman was popular among people in their 20s; please tell us three reasons why," Candidate Yoon laughed and replied, "If I knew that, I would have devised effective methods."
He added, "I think Hong Assemblyman's bold and straightforward approach gave a refreshing feeling to the frustrated younger generation in various ways," sharing his thoughts.
Meanwhile, it is known that this event was proposed to Candidate Yoon by Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, and Kim Yong-tae, the youth supreme council member, as an "opportunity to communicate directly with young people." The meeting was attended by Leader Lee and Assemblyman Ha Tae-kyung along with Candidate Yoon.
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