Gyeonggi Governor Candidate Yoo Seung-min: "My Daughter Yoo Dam Also Opposes... Determined to Take on a Tough District"

Yoo Seung-min Announces Candidacy for Gyeonggi Province Governor
"Considered Retiring from Politics but Determined to Lead in a Tough District"

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is holding an official press conference to announce his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Yoo Seung-min, former member of the People Power Party who declared his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections, revealed that he had contemplated retiring from politics and that his family also discouraged him from running.

On the 1st, Yoo said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "I was firmly decided to quit politics right after the presidential election," adding, "I have been in politics for 23 years, but one must know when to step down, so I had such thoughts."

Yoo continued, "In the end, all conservative parties unified and ran as the People Power Party candidate but failed in the primary," and "After two attempts, I thought the political dreams I wanted to realize did not align with the times." He further explained, "One does not have to be in politics to contribute to society, so even if I quit politics, I thought there must be other ways to contribute to our society even a little."

When the host asked, "Did your family try to stop you?" Yoo replied, "Seeing how much they suffered beside me, my mother, older brother, and older sister all discouraged me," and said his daughter, Yoo Dam, also urged, "Why don't you rest a bit and do something else meaningful and free?" Nevertheless, he added, "At the final moment of decision, all my family agreed (to my candidacy). From the moment I made up my mind, I expect them to support me."

Regarding the reason for declaring his candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor, he said, "If someone has decided to quit politics, what desire would they have for the Gyeonggi governor position?" and "From the People Power Party's perspective, this is the toughest district, so I took on the responsibility and jumped in with determination."

He continued, "We need revolutionary reforms in five areas where the 14 million residents of Gyeonggi Province are struggling: jobs, housing, transportation, welfare, and childcare," and questioned, "Did Gyeonggi Province, controlled by the Democratic Party for the past four years, really solve those problems?" He added, "Just looking at the real estate issue alone, isn't it a failure? New wine must be put into new wineskins."

In response to criticism that he has no ties to Gyeonggi Province, the region he is running in, he said, "If you think the governor of Gyeonggi Province must be a native of Gyeonggi, then I am quite lacking," but added, "Coach Hiddink did not have Korean nationality or ties but led Korean soccer to the World Cup semifinals. What many Gyeonggi residents want is a capable person."

Meanwhile, Yoo held a press conference at the National Assembly the day before to announce his candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor. He vowed, "I promise to devote all my capabilities, nurtured through 23 years in the heart of politics, facing wind and frost, to Gyeonggi Province and South Korea."