Yoo Seung-min's Withdrawal Statement "I Will Stop Tyranny"
After Prosecutor's Summons, Lee Jae-myung "I Will Resist Tyranny"
Presidential Candidates from Both Parties Targeting President Yoon's Message
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "I will fulfill my mission to prevent tyranny and protect the democratic republic."
Among the reasons former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min gave on social media (SNS) on the 31st of last month for not running in the People Power Party leadership election, the word to note is 'tyranny.' The dictionary definition of tyranny is 'cruel or oppressive government.' It is usually used by opposition politicians when sharpening their criticism against those in power. However, due to the political nuance embedded in the word tyranny, it is not a term to be used lightly.
The period when the word tyranny was commonly used in Korea was during the governments of Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo. The term was used to criticize the brutal politics of the military government, so it is unusual for a politician weighing a run for ruling party leader to use that word.
Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is expressing his acceptance of the results during the candidates' remarks after the announcement of the vote count at the 2nd Party Convention held on the afternoon of November 5, 2021, at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers.
Politician Yoo Seung-min was a competitor with President Yoon Seok-youl for the People Power Party's presidential candidate position. He also ran directly as a presidential candidate in the 2017 election. He is also a politician with a high possibility of running in the 2027 presidential election. His words and actions inevitably carry political weight.
Yoo Seung-min’s reason for not running explains why it is difficult for him to participate in the leadership election. It is virtually unimaginable for a politician who criticizes the sitting president as tyrannical to take on the role of ruling party leader. Especially considering that President Yoon had been in office for less than a year, this is an extremely unusual scene.
Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min’s message about tyranny carries a political effect similar to crossing the point of no return. It blocks the possibility of reconciliation and compromise, sowing the seeds of confrontation and conflict. In particular, compromise with pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-youl faction) politicians has become virtually impossible.
If former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min prepares to run for president within the People Power Party, this could act as a significant risk.
What is noteworthy is that, like Yoo Seung-min, there was another politician who used the word tyranny toward President Yoon in January. That person is Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. On January 11, the day after returning from a prosecution summons investigation, Leader Lee said, "I will stand with the people to fight against the tyranny and lawlessness of the regime."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
The targets of the tyranny messages conveyed by Leader Lee Jae-myung and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min are President Yoon.
With less than a year since the president’s inauguration, the leader of the main opposition party and a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party both used the word tyranny. The political situation in 2023 is unlikely to avoid turbulence. The Democratic Party has announced plans for street protests. The rhetoric of opposition politicians on the streets will become even stronger. If street protests materialize, the relationship between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to continue as a steep confrontation of strength against strength.
Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min’s actions are another variable.
On SNS, Yoo Seung-min pledged, "I will not run in the party leader election. I have thought it through enough and concluded it is meaningless. I will endure and wait for the right time. I will only look to public sentiment and pioneer a new path."
This is a declaration to draw a line from President Yoon and a declaration of war against the pro-Yoon faction. Yoo Seung-min may take the path of an opposition within the ruling party or, like in the 2017 presidential election, pull out the card of a third party. This could lead to a crack in President Yoon’s political plans.
Politician Yoo Seung-min, who says he will endure and wait for the right time?when will that be?
Kim Woong, a People Power Party lawmaker showing a non-pro-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-youl) stance, left a meaningful message on SNS.
"Right now is just a chicken game; the real showdown will be when the leaves turn."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
