[Reporter’s Notebook] Former President Yoon Seok-yeol’s Silence Is Golden

If Yoon Intervenes in the Primary, the Party Will Be Divided Again
Even Within the Party: "Honestly, I Wish He Would Stay Silent"
Stop the Factionalism... Prioritize Unity

Ahead of the People Power Party's presidential primary, the so-called 'Yunsim (尹心)' marketing is making a comeback.

Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, who recently announced his candidacy, said he heard the words "Do well" during a phone call with former President Yoon Seok-yeol. Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province, visited Yoon's residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, and reported receiving the well-wishing message "I hope you get elected" from the former president. Additionally, on the 11th, Representative Na Kyung-won, who declared her presidential bid, said she was told to "play a role for the country."

Since his release, former President Yoon, who had remained silent, has been meeting consecutively with People Power Party presidential hopefuls around the time of the Constitutional Court impeachment trial, engaging in 'message politics.' The meetings are mainly with the anti-impeachment faction. The messages conveyed are also noteworthy. The remark reportedly given to Governor Lee, "The most important thing when appointing people as president is loyalty," raises the question of whom it was aimed at.

Many interpret this as a reference to Han Dong-hoon, former People Power Party leader, who was closest to Yoon throughout his prosecutorial career and presidential election but is now distant. Regardless of the truth, the very fact that such remarks are made influences the People Power Party presidential primary. Selectively meeting presidential candidates or indirectly expressing Yunsim causes further division within the party.

"The statements made by former President Yoon inevitably become messages of division." "Honestly, I fervently wish former President Yoon would refrain from sending messages." When asked about views on the party primary, People Power Party officials could not hide their embarrassment. Since it concerns a former president, openly expressing dissatisfaction is difficult, but knowing the burden it places on the party, they can only sigh. Facing an important election and needing to reorganize, they are once again tormented by election nightmares.

This is not the first time. Most elections held during former President Yoon's administration were influenced by Yunsim as a variable. The Seoul Gangseo District Office election and the 22nd general election are representative examples. What were the results? The People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat. If the People Power Party runs the presidential election emphasizing Yunsim, the confrontation between Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-yeol will be formed again. The Democratic Party of Korea is managing its expressions carefully. Considering the unfavorable poll ratings, even if the People Power Party primary achieves record-breaking turnout, winning the presidential election will not be easy, and former President Yoon's involvement will only increase confusion.

The public is tired of unproductive 'division.' They hope for a presidential election that improves 'their lives.' For the healing of Korean society, stained by hatred and division, this presidential election should be used as a forum for social integration and overcoming the economic crisis. Politicians convey messages through words. However, there are times when silence is necessary.