'Beast Instinct' Yu Seung-min Publishes Book After 5 Years: "I Will Find a New Path"

Avoid Saying "Nothing Decided" When Asked About Future Political Schedule

"At every crucial crossroads in life, I believe there is a 'brutal instinct' inside my heart, which I translated as the beast's instinct. I always asked myself that and lived accordingly. Don't listen too much to others; really ask yourself what you truly want, what you want to do. We only live once, everyone. Instinct is not an impulse, nor something learned from others, but a voice truly heard from within you. I hope you all have that."

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min held a book launch event for 'Clash with the Beast's Instinct' on the 11th in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, saying, "Many people pointed out, 'Why not hold this event a year ago, before the presidential primary, or before the Gyeonggi Province governor primary? What are you doing now?' (laughs). But now that everything has passed, this has become a very selfless book launch event, so I feel relieved," he said.

Former lawmaker Yoo, who released a new book after five years, appeared 51 days after the Gyeonggi Province governor primary. Some viewed this event as a signal of his political comeback, but Yoo remained reserved, saying he was focusing only on the book.

Publication celebration of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min held at the book cafe 'Booksaez' in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Photo provided by the organizer)

The beast's instinct Yoo mentioned can also be interpreted as conviction (firmly held beliefs or thoughts) when reflecting on his political journey. Yoo has practiced politics based on his convictions, but these convictions pushed his political life onto a thorny path. The label 'betrayal' that followed him throughout the presidential primary arose when he clashed with former President Park Geun-hye during his tenure as the ruling party floor leader. When Yoo pointed out, "Let's acknowledge the government's tax shortfall," and "Creative economy is not a solution for economic growth," and passed a revision to the National Assembly Act allowing the legislature to correct government enforcement ordinances, former President Park condemned Yoo with a single phrase, "We must judge the politics of betrayal." A few days later, Yoo stepped down from his floor leader position, saying, "The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic, and I wanted to uphold the values of Article 1, Clause 1 of our Constitution." Former lawmaker Kim Se-yeon’s congratulatory speech at this book launch well represents this context.

"I have never seen anyone in politics or other social fields whose words at the beginning and end are exactly consistent, and whose words and actions align in any position or situation. Yet, at the same time, he seems to be a 'paradoxical politician.' The fact that he has survived in Korean politics gives us hope, but his strict adherence to principles also brings despair as he faces many difficulties every time. Having such an excellent politician among us is a source of happiness, but at moments of despair, it also causes pain, which I always feel sorry about."

When asked about plans to return to politics, Yoo drew a line. At the book launch, when reporters asked about his future steps, he replied:

"I will think about it. Not specifically about doing politics, but I am seriously considering what I should do if I start something truly new. I haven’t decided anything concrete yet, so..."

Supporters continued to visit Yoo that day. Current lawmakers Kang Dae-sik, Kim Ye-ji, Shin Won-sik, and Yoo Kyung-joon from the People Power Party attended, and Ahn Kyu-baek from the Democratic Party also visited due to ties from the National Defense Committee. Former lawmakers Kim Se-yeon, Kim Sung-dong, Oh Shin-hwan, and Jin Soo-hee also attended. Toward the end, Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, and Kim Yong-tae, the youth supreme council member, joined to show support. At the event, Lee said, "If there is a disappointing year, there is also a happy year, and at some point, efforts are always rewarded. If you keep working toward the political changes you hope for, you will see the light. I will be with you on that path." Even after the event ended, men in their 20s and 30s and women in their 40s and 50s who wanted to get their books signed stayed for over four hours. Yoo took photos and greeted each person individually.

Released the book 'Clash with the Beast's Instinct' and
Held a book launch in Gangnam, Seoul
"Feeling relieved and selfless"

In a discussion moderated by Professor Hong Jong-ho of Seoul National University, Yoo cited the phrase 'A president with a soul, a president with eternity' as one of the key messages he wanted to convey in the book, saying, "Among the presidents, lawmakers, and bureaucrats I have met, some people are solely focused on career advancement as the ultimate goal, but I believe the fate of the entire country depends on a small number of people with a soul." He added, "Whether presidents, lawmakers, or bureaucrats, if these people lack that, I don’t think the Republic of Korea can solve the problems we face and hand down a better, more livable Korea to future generations 50 or 100 years from now. That’s why I emphasize the soul."

When Professor Hong asked, "What is the beast inside former lawmaker Yoo saying at this moment?" Yoo replied, "It keeps telling me to find a new path, not to think about just relaxing, and that I have been fortunate in life. It seems to be telling me to give back something to our society, our community, even if it’s not through politics." Nevertheless, he added, "But it hasn’t told me specifically what the new path is yet."

He also said, "Since I am going through a very difficult time now, I will follow the beast's instinct more faithfully as I wrote in this book and live the rest of my life meaningfully."

Like former lawmaker Jin Soo-hee’s remark, "If only this book had been published around this time last year, Korean political history might have changed, and the history of the presidency might have changed," we look forward to what kind of future path Yoo is about to take as his 'new path.'