Pro-Yoon vs Anti-Yoon Rivalry Spreads to Supreme Council
Conservative YouTuber's Candidacy Movement Sparks Another Controversy
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the ruling party's national convention to elect the next leadership approaches, competition is intensifying not only among the party leadership candidates but also among the Supreme Council members. In particular, for the youth Supreme Council member position, which elects only one person, a pro-Yoon (친윤) vs. anti-Yoon (비윤) dynamic has formed, leading to a war of nerves among candidates through social networking services (SNS).
Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation who declared his candidacy for youth Supreme Council member, issued a declaration of war on the 9th via his SNS to former youth Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae, who is considering running, saying, "I saw your critical interview well. Stop testing the waters and run for youth Supreme Council member to face me head-on."
The "interview" mentioned by Chairman Jang was Kim's interview on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" that morning. In it, Kim criticized, "When I saw (Chairman Jang's) declaration of candidacy, he spoke with a nuance of 'not letting other voices arise within the party, uniting with one voice,' which I think shows a lack of understanding of democracy."
Chairman Jang said, "For the excitement of the youth Supreme Council election, a figure with the presence of former youth Supreme Council member Kim is needed," adding, "While criticizing, I also acknowledge former Supreme Council member Kim. Wouldn't it be the most uncomfortable thing for him to have a one-on-one showdown with me?" urging a direct confrontation.
In response, former youth Supreme Council member Kim counterattacked via SNS, saying, "Thank you, Chairman Jang, for giving us a big laugh at the start of the new year," and added, "I wonder if I should respond to a statement not even worth commenting on."
He continued, "Since Chairman Jang made a proposal, I will make one in return," suggesting, "How about you, who show no trace of youthfulness in all your actions, running with me as a general Supreme Council member?" and advised, "Please stop writing novels in your own world."
The competition for the youth Supreme Council member position, which is for those under 45 and elects only one person, appears to be between pro-Yoon Chairman Jang and anti-Yoon former youth Supreme Council member Kim. At Jang's press conference, Lee Cheol-gyu, a People Power Party lawmaker considered a 'Yoon core associate (윤핵관),' was present, indicating that Jang is a candidate backed by 'Yoon's mind.' Meanwhile, former youth Supreme Council member Kim, who served under the Lee Jun-seok leadership, is regarded as a representative figure of the anti-Yoon youth faction.
However, unlike Chairman Jang, who has already decided to run, former youth Supreme Council member Kim has not yet made a decision. With the national convention rules changed to reflect 100% party member votes, Kim is still deliberating. This creates a relatively disadvantageous situation for candidates without 'Yoon's mind' influence, which affects party sentiment.
The election for the four general Supreme Council members is also forming along the pro-Yoon vs. anti-Yoon lines. Among the pro-Yoon faction, lawmakers Kim Jeong-jae, Park Seong-jung, and Lee Yong are the most frequently mentioned candidates, while among the anti-Yoon faction, lawmakers Heo Eun-ah and Kim Woong are the leading contenders. Additionally, operators of conservative YouTube channels such as Kim Se-e and Shin Hye-sik are expected to run for Supreme Council member, raising concerns about the ruling party's rightward shift.
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