"Invitation of Ahn Cheol-soo Couple to Residence, Confusing Gestures"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min emphasized that he is the representative of the People Power Party (PPP) whom the Democratic Party fears the most in the next general election, saying, "As public support rises, party support also follows."
On the 5th, Yoo said on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "I am the party leader who can secure the most votes from centrists, independents, the metropolitan area, and young voters in the general election."
Recently, as the PPP changed the rules of the party leadership election to '100% party member votes,' Yoo's party support ranking slipped from the top three to fourth or fifth place. This is due to the rise of lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, who is seen as having 'Yoon-sim (尹心, President Yoon Seok-yeol's intention),' and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who claims to represent the 'pro-friend Yoon faction.'
In response to a question pointing this out, Yoo said, "Looking at the past four months, my support among People Power Party supporters has been steadily rising in public opinion, so party members' support is also following," adding, "It is not right to judge based on one or two recent polls."
He added, "Comparing polls from August and September with recent ones, my support among PPP supporters has increased significantly," and said, "PPP supporters are realizing, albeit with a delay of one or two months, that to win the general election, the party leader must be someone who receives overwhelming support from the entire public."
Yoo appealed to party members, saying, "I ask party members to make a very strategic judgment," and continued, "Do you want a party leader who listens well, is obedient and quiet?a so-called management-type leader? Or do you want a party leader who can win votes that the Democratic Party would take, by attracting centrists, metropolitan voters, and young voters, and lead the party to victory in the general election? That is what matters."
There is also an interpretation that President Yoon inviting Ahn Cheol-soo and his spouse to the presidential residence for a meal was meant to send a message that there is no separate 'Yoon-sim (尹心).' Regarding this, Yoo pointed out, "Based on President Yoon's past behavior and remarks, he would want someone he favors to become party leader," and said, "Inviting Ahn and his spouse to dine at the residence is a gesture that causes confusion."
Yoo also advised President Yoon to "abandon the mindset of a prosecutor." He said, "If the president thinks of the party as if it were the prosecution during his time as Prosecutor General, with a Prosecutor General and regional prosecutors' offices in Daegu or Daejeon, and expects strict hierarchical obedience and coordinated action like the principle of unity between prosecutors, that is not right," and added, "You cannot do politics with the mindset or thinking of a prosecutor."
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