[Politics, That Day...] The Turning Point of Yoo Seung-min's Politics: "Cheongwadae Eolladeul"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min]

Editor's Note‘Politics, That Day...’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to scenes, events, and figures that deserve attention.

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

"Who does this? Are these the Cheongwadae eollas?"

At the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee’s audit on October 7, 2014, then Saenuri Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min used the expression ‘Cheongwadae eollas’ while questioning Foreign Minister Yoon Byung-se.

The question carried a slight tone of humor. However, referring to the heart of power, Cheongwadae, as ‘eollas’ was perceived as an act that could not be dismissed as mere joking.

Eolla is a Gyeongsang-do dialect word meaning ‘child.’ Yoo’s remark was interpreted as revealing his usual perception of the Park Geun-hye administration’s Cheongwadae. Since it was not a joke at a drinking party but a statement made during a National Assembly audit covered by broadcast cameras, the controversy inevitably grew.

The controversy is related to the speech materials for President Park Geun-hye’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The original materials included the phrase, “There are views that Korea has leaned toward China, but this is a misunderstanding that does not properly understand the nature of the Korea-US alliance,” which was later removed.

On October 26, 2020, Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, along with presidential primary candidates Hong Joon-pyo and Yoo Seung-min, visited Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and are seen talking after paying respects at the tomb of former President Park. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

There was speculation that the phrase was removed to avoid provoking China while reassuring the US. Yoo raised this issue. He criticized, “Because there is no consistent national security strategy, the president went to the US with materials mentioning ‘leaning toward China.’”

Yoo pointed out, “Our position regarding the US and China is not something to be toyed with by adding or removing; it is a matter of our survival.” He said he asked who prepared the materials for the presidential meeting but was told that no one in the Foreign Ministry’s responsible department knew.

In explaining this, the expression ‘Cheongwadae eollas’ came up, criticizing the incompetence of the Cheongwadae diplomatic and security secretariat. The problem is that Yoo’s remarks may not be interpreted as they were intended.

Politician Yoo Seung-min was once a close aide and original pro-Park figure of President Park Geun-hye. However, their relationship changed. Yoo’s Achilles’ heel as a politician is the ‘traitor’ frame. Especially the label of a politician who betrayed President Park is a heavy burden in his political life.

Former President Park Geun-hye was discharged from Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of March 24, 2020, and is moving to the National Cemetery. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The result of the Saenuri Party floor leader election on January 2, 2015, was a glory marked only by wounds. Yoo defeated Lee Ju-young, who was backed by the pro-Park mainstream, and became the Saenuri Party floor leader. Yoo Seung-min, as the Saenuri Party representative, delivered a parliamentary negotiation group speech, which was a brilliant speech that would be remembered in political history based on his profound knowledge and clear convictions.

The problem was that the content of the ruling party floor leader’s speech touched on the sore spots of the Park Geun-hye administration. At that time, Cheongwadae was boiling with anger. Politician Yoo Seung-min might have thought he said what was necessary, but to someone else, such criticism felt like betrayal.

The tense relationship between ruling party floor leader Yoo Seung-min and Cheongwadae, starting from the ‘Cheongwadae eollas’ remark in October 2014 and continuing in 2015, symbolizes one aspect of the ruling party’s situation during the Park Geun-hye administration.

Ultimately, a single remark at the audit became a turning point that determined the course of Yoo Seung-min’s political path.

Politician Yoo Seung-min comes from a prestigious political family. He succeeded his father, who was a member of the National Assembly, becoming a multi-term lawmaker (four terms). His political stronghold is Daegu, the heart of the conservative party.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A multi-term lawmaker, experienced ruling party floor leader, and a figure who has run for president. His goal is not just another term as a lawmaker but to become the new head of the presidential office. Politician Yoo Seung-min ran as an independent candidate in the 20th general election in 2016 for Daegu Dong-gu-eul and was elected with 75.7% of the vote.

If the overwhelming support from Daegu had continued until 2022, his political activity within the conservative party would have been much broader. However, the reality is not easy. The image of a traitor is a factor that constrains him. To become president, he must win the hearts of People Power Party members, and it is worth considering whether his recent political moves are heading in that direction.

How do ruling party members perceive a party leadership candidate who sharply criticizes President Yoon Suk-yeol? Do they see him as someone who speaks his mind, or do they find him uncomfortable?

Regardless of whether politician Yoo Seung-min runs in the People Power Party leadership election, he has already been put to the political test. The outcome is expected to influence his role and position in the 2027 presidential election.