Shin Pyeong, Known as President Yoon's Mentor, in KBS Interview
"Is the People Power Party a Group Sharing Factional Interests?"
"Yoon Core Group Uses a Kind of Gangster Language" Criticism
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "I deny being a mentor, but since President Yoon Seok-yeol always receives my writings and gives feedback not directly to me but to others around me..."
Shin Pyeong, a lawyer and former professor at Kyungpook National University Law School, said this in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 21st. This was in response to whether he could be called President Yoon Seok-yeol's mentor. In fact, Shin is called the president's mentor. While he does not agree with the claim that he claims to be President Yoon's mentor, he does not deny the fact that he is called one.
Shin is a former judge and legal professional. Born in Daegu in 1956, he graduated from Kyungbuk High School and Seoul National University Law School. He is a senior alumnus of President Yoon at Seoul National University Law School. Shin is actually better known as a professor at Kyungpook National University Law School. He was frequently cited by the media as an expert on legal issues. The reason he is drawing attention in political matters is not unrelated to his relationship with President Yoon.
If it is Shin Pyeong's personal opinion, the political weight of his views is diminished. However, if it is perceived that the president's intentions are contained or that it could influence the president, the matter changes. It is difficult to say that Shin's thoughts are President Yoon's thoughts, but if they can influence the president's thinking, his words inevitably carry weight.
Among Shin's recent remarks, the one that attracted attention was about political realignment.
His claim that the signal for political realignment could sound anytime and anywhere drew interest in Yeouido's political circles. This fueled suspicions that a political realignment including not only the People Power Party but also some members of the Democratic Party of Korea might be underway. On the 21st, Shin made a further statement regarding political realignment.
In the KBS Radio interview, Shin said, "In my opinion, even if political realignment happens tomorrow, I don't think it would be strange at all. I think this is the current structure." The suggestion that political realignment could happen as soon as tomorrow is noteworthy in itself. It can be interpreted not as meaning that the behind-the-scenes preparations for political realignment are complete, but that the energy for political realignment has been sufficiently accumulated.
Shin pointed to the Lee Jun-seok and Yoo Seung-min factions, expressing the view that they cannot be seen as a group sharing minimal factional interests. This suggests that if political realignment occurs, the Yoon Seok-yeol faction and the Lee Jun-seok?Yoo Seung-min factions could split.
Political realignments often occur ahead of general elections. Most are triggered by conflicts related to candidate nominations. The more the party leadership exercises influence over nominations, the greater the centrifugal force among marginalized political forces. When nomination rejection is virtually certain or exclusion is likely, rather than sitting and dying, they seek new paths through defection or party splits.
Sometimes the party leadership forms a new party in the form of a new party foundation. The Uri Party during the Roh Moo-hyun administration was such a case.
With less than a year and two months left until next year's general election, considering the preparation period for the 22nd general election, political realignment is likely to occur after this fall. The controversy over President Yoon's interference in party affairs is an important signal. The Yoon Seok-yeol faction argues that banning presidential interference in party affairs is nonsensical. On the other hand, the non-Yoon factions worry that interference will ultimately lead to expanded influence over nominations and pro-Yoon-centered nominations.
Regarding this, Shin said:
Shin also did not hide his discomfort with the term so-called 'Yoon core group' (Yoonhaekgwan).
He pointed out, "Currently, candidate Cheon Ha-ram is framing the election campaign as a confrontation with the Yoon core group. Initially, this was quite effective. However, this phrase seems to stem from somewhat impure motives."
Shin said, "Throughout history, regardless of time and place, it has been common for national leaders to appoint trusted people to important parts of state affairs to manage governance. It is the same in every country. Singling out only President Yoon's trusted people as the Yoon core group and labeling them as bad people or traitors is quite misleading. This is a kind of gangster language," he criticized.
The People Power Party might face an even more important period after the party convention. If the emotional chasm exposed during the convention remains as is heading into the general election, the possibility of political realignment increases. Whether to choose so-called subtractive politics or switch to additive politics will change the attitude toward the general election and the blueprint for the election.
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