'Changed Yoon' Brings Back Youth... "Accurately Understanding What 2030 Wants"

Seungyong Kwak "Returning as Youth Advisor to Support Candidate Yoon's Election"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is encouraging Gwak Seung-yong, a youth aide, after his remarks on gender at the New Year's meeting of the campaign headquarters held on the afternoon of the 1st at the Daehwa Building in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] The young aides of the People Power Party, who had previously criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the party's presidential candidate, and resigned, returned to the election campaign headquarters on the 20th.

At a press conference held at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido in the afternoon, Mr. Kwak Seung-yong stated, "I sincerely want to respond to Yoon's genuine efforts to listen to the voices of the youth and bring about change, and to contribute to Yoon's election victory. Therefore, I am returning to the People Power Party's youth aides today."

Mr. Kwak resigned from his youth aide position after attending a youth meeting held on the 5th. At that time, he wrote on Facebook, "As I step down from the youth aide position, in accordance with my duty to convey the voices of the youth as they are, I make this final suggestion: The youth want a change of candidate. This is the public opinion of the youth as I have understood it."

Mr. Han Sang-hyun, who also expressed disappointment and resigned on the 5th, announced his intention to return on the same day. In a statement, he said, "The candidate Yoon and the party reached out to me again, even though I had been one of the harshest critics. I believe that this inclusiveness reflects the values of our party. I want to participate in an election that restores hope to our generation. Therefore, I will return to the youth aide position and convey the voices of young people to the party."

When asked by reporters after the press conference about the direct reason for reversing his resignation decision, Mr. Kwak explained, "In the past two weeks, Candidate Yoon has shown changed behavior. He has accurately understood what the 20s and 30s generation wants and has shown a completely different attitude than before."

Meanwhile, controversy over "neglecting the youth" arose when Candidate Yoon did not appear at the online youth meeting held by the Public Communication Headquarters on the 5th.