Jeon-Dae Non-Candidacy Yoo Seung-min "No Meaning in Conclusion... Will Wait Patiently"

"I Will Fulfill My Duty to Prevent Tyranny and Protect the Democratic Republic"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min has announced that he will not run in the People Power Party's March 8 leadership election.

On the 31st, Yoo stated on Facebook, "I have thought it over thoroughly and concluded that it is meaningless," announcing his decision.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "I will be patient and wait for the right time," adding, "I will pioneer a new path by looking only at the public sentiment." He continued, "I will fulfill my duty to stop tyranny and protect the democratic republic," and "I will stand with citizens who desire change and innovation in our politics."

This is the second withdrawal declaration from a leading candidate following former lawmaker Na Kyung-won. After Na's withdrawal, Yoo was considered the biggest variable in this leadership election. As the People Power Party's leadership race narrowed down to a two-horse race between lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, polls showed that Na's support base shifted to Ahn.

In a hypothetical multi-candidate and two-candidate poll conducted by Realmeter on behalf of Media Tribune from the 25th to 26th among 1,009 adults nationwide aged 18 and over, including 422 ruling party supporters, Kim ranked first in all categories, but Ahn's support in the multi-candidate poll surged by 16.7 percentage points compared to the previous survey.

Additionally, in a hypothetical multi-candidate poll conducted by R&Search on behalf of Asia Today from the 27th to 28th among 1,030 adults nationwide aged 18 and over, including 440 ruling party supporters, 39.8% of respondents said Ahn was suitable as party leader, while 36.5% said Kim was suitable. This is the first time Ahn has led Kim in a multi-candidate party leader suitability poll.

In various polls, Yoo's support hovered around 10%, and since Yoo has taken a confrontational stance against the Yoon Seok-youl administration, there was interest in whether Yoo's support base might shift to Ahn, raising attention on Yoo's decision to challenge for party leadership.

Meanwhile, this leadership election changed its rules to 100% party member voting for the first time in 18 years (previously 70% party members and 30% general public polls), creating a disadvantageous situation for Yoo, who has high public recognition.