Yoo Seung-min "Many misunderstandings with former President Park Geun-hye... I definitely want to resolve them later"

"I Really Want to Resolve Misunderstandings with Former President Park"
"People Power Party Must Clarify Its Stance on Impeachment and President Yoon"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said, "It seems there are many misunderstandings accumulated with former President Park Geun-hye," and added, "I want to resolve the misunderstandings with her on a human level someday." On the afternoon of the 18th, Yoo appeared on JTBC's 'O Dae-young Live' and was asked by the host, "(If the Constitutional Court accepts the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and an early presidential election is held) there are speculative reports that you might meet senior conservative politicians after declaring your candidacy. Are you also considering meeting the former president?" In response, Yoo said, "Nothing has been decided yet," and explained, "There was an article recently about me visiting former party leader Lee Hoi-chang, but I have been consistently visiting him throughout his 25 years in politics because I entered politics because of him."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said, "It seems that many misunderstandings have accumulated with former President Park Geun-hye," adding, "I want to personally resolve the misunderstandings that have built up with her someday." Photo by Asia Economy DB

He continued, "As for former President Park, nothing has been decided at all regarding a meeting," and said, "Regardless of elections or political schedules, I feel that many misunderstandings have accumulated between former President Park and me. I have talked about this a lot elsewhere, but I always have the desire to genuinely resolve those misunderstandings with her on a human level someday." He added, "The misunderstandings with former President Park arose because, as people engaged in politics, we pursued what we believed to be the right path. When misunderstandings accumulate, it is naturally something people want to resolve someday, and honestly, there is much regret."

In particular, Yoo said, "Former President Park has written memoirs and such, and I have read them all," adding, "We may have different memories of past events." He explained, "Especially when I was the floor leader of the Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), during my representative speeches for the parliamentary negotiation group, reforms of the public servant pension, or the process of passing amendments to the National Assembly Act, the people who contacted me in the middle might have exaggerated things." Yoo added, "If I have the opportunity to meet former President Park, since we both have memories and records, it would be good to have a chance to exchange words like, 'You seem to have misunderstood me on this matter,' or 'I honestly think I was too excessive in this part'."

Also emphasized, "Fighting over support or opposition to impeachment is a path to conservative self-destruction"

Yoo also expressed his opinion on the acceptance of President Yoon's impeachment. He emphasized, "We (People Power Party) must clearly clarify our position regarding martial law, impeachment, and our relationship with President Yoon Seok-yeol." He pointed out, "If the Constitutional Court accepts the impeachment and (President Yoon) is removed from office, an early presidential election must be held within two months. Would the public accept it if we suddenly clarify our position at that time?"

Former lawmaker Yoo also expressed his opinion on the impeachment of President Yoon. He emphasized, "We (People Power Party) must clearly clarify our position regarding martial law, impeachment, and our relationship with President Yoon Seok-yeol." He pointed out, "If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment and (President Yoon) is removed from office, an early presidential election must be held within two months. Would the public accept it if we suddenly decide our position at that time?" Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

However, he said, "After the Constitutional Court's decision, if the party divides into camps like 'you support it, I oppose it' and continues to argue, that is exactly what the opposition party wants and it would lead to our party's self-destruction." He added, "If the impeachment is dismissed, President Yoon will return to his duties, which is a completely different matter. But if the impeachment is accepted, we must quickly move toward clarifying how to unify ourselves and respond to the early presidential election," and said, "(The party's position clarification) will be related to who becomes the party's (presidential) candidate."

Finally, he said, "If someone who opposed the impeachment becomes the party's candidate, wouldn't the public intuitively see the party's position?" He added, "If someone like me, who has consistently said 'martial law was wrong, and impeachment is inevitable,' becomes the candidate, the public's perception will be different." He then said, "This process (of selecting a candidate) must resolve these issues. If we fight like enemies over support or opposition to impeachment, that is exactly what the Democratic Party wants, and it is a path to conservative self-destruction."