[2023 Click Political Figures] Yoo Seung-min's 'New Path'

"Whether You Live Well or Poorly Is a Political Issue"
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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] In June of last year, after the conclusion of both the 20th presidential election and the local elections, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who had launched his political comeback with the release of his book "Clash with the Instinct of a Beast," reappeared at an unexpected venue: the launching ceremony of the Navy's next-generation Aegis destroyer, the first ship named "Jeongjo the Great," held a month later.

Yoo, known as a reclusive politician, stirred the political world by attending an official event organized by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. His attendance had a backstory. As the chairman of the National Defense Committee during the 19th National Assembly, Yoo was the key figure who secured the budget related to the Jeongjo the Great ship. In 2015, when he was also the floor leader of the Saenuri Party, Yoo criticized the Defense Acquisition Program Administration at a full committee meeting of the National Defense Committee, stating that "although the Aegis destroyer budget was allocated, 100% of it was unused for two consecutive years," which eventually led to the birth of the Navy's first Aegis destroyer.

Yoo, an economist who gained recognition as a former researcher at KDI (Korea Development Institute), has consistently emphasized the importance of security since entering politics. He stated, "Economy and welfare are matters of livelihood, but security is a matter of life and death."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoo believes that the solution to all issues, including economy and security, ultimately lies in politics. In his book, he revealed, "Just as whether a country prospers or not depends on its politics, whether its defense is strong or weak is also a matter of that country's politics." Therefore, he chose the path of politics and lives as a politician who speaks out with foresight. Yoo insists, "No matter how much criticism one receives, politics is ultimately what changes the world."

"I have never seen anyone in politics or other social fields whose words at the beginning and end are consistently aligned, and whose words and actions match 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 adherence to principles causing frequent hardships also brings despair. Having such an excellent politician is both a source of happiness and pain, which I have always found regrettable."

Former lawmaker Kim Se-yeon’s congratulatory speech at Yoo’s book launch well represents his political hardships. Yoo entered politics as the head of the Yeouido Research Institute of the Grand National Party through the recruitment by former party leader Lee Hoi-chang and rose steadily to become the floor leader of the Saenuri Party. However, on April 8, 2015, during the third year of President Park Geun-hye’s administration, Yoo directly criticized the Park administration’s "creative economy" in a negotiation group representative speech. At that time, President Park drew her sword to "judge the politics of betrayal," and after the nomination turmoil in the 20th general election the following year, Yoo left the party and was re-elected as an independent.

However, Yoo’s political career declined after the impeachment crisis of former President Park Geun-hye. He founded the Bareun Party promoting "warm conservatism" and ran as a candidate in the 19th presidential election but lost, and he was also defeated in the 20th People Power Party presidential primary. In the recent local elections, he failed to become the final candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province, losing to Kim Eun-hye, the presidential office’s chief spokesperson.

Since then, Yoo has become the icon of the 'anti-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol)' faction within the party by opposing President Yoon Seok-yeol. Although he is weighing a run for party leader in the People Power Party’s March 8 leadership election, the prevailing view in political circles is that he is unlikely to run in this election, which is conducted by 100% party member voting. Nevertheless, Yeouido is paying close attention to what "new path" Yoo, who still has support from reformist conservatives within the party and is well-prepared policy-wise, will choose.