Woo Sangho Criticizes Yoon's Attendance at Election Fraud Film: "Seems Determined to Make Lee Jaemyung President"

Former President Yoon Draws Attention by Watching Election Fraud Film
Woo Sangho: "More Focused on Showing Off Than Winning the Election"
"Unseemly for a Former President to Become an Object of Ridicule"

In the context of the June 3 presidential election, Woo Sangho, Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea Joint Election Committee, commented on former President Yoon Sukyeol, who continues to maintain a presence, saying, "It seems as if he is determined to make Lee Jaemyung president." On the 22nd, during an interview on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyunjung’s News Show,’ Woo referred to Yoon’s attendance at a film related to alleged election fraud the previous day, saying, "It is difficult to understand from a common-sense perspective."

Woo Sangho, Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea Joint Election Committee. Photo by Asia Economy

Woo stated, "Of course, he would attend because he was invited, but right now, it is the presidential election season," and added, "The more former President Yoon appears, the more the centrist bloc moves away from the People Power Party candidate. Although he himself became president through an election, he does not seem to consider at all how he could help the People Power Party win the election, but instead focuses more on showing off his own presence." He went on to say, "As a result, his actions are actually helping candidate Lee Jaemyung." When the host asked whether the Democratic Party camp might secretly be grateful, Woo responded, "There is no need to express gratitude. (Former President Yoon) has in fact become an object of ridicule," adding, "It is not a good thing for a former president of the Republic of Korea to become a target of mockery."

He continued, "(Former President Yoon) is still under the delusion that 'his actions will help candidate Kim Moonsu, and that his supporters will listen to him,'" and added, "Among People Power Party lawmakers, there is a majority opinion that they wish former President Yoon would be less visible."

Regarding the possibility of a single opposition candidate between the People Power Party and the Reform New Party, Woo was adamant that there was no possibility. He said, "(If candidate Lee Junseok) suddenly changes his position, it would be old-style politics. In that case, the political benefit from changing his stance would have to be significant," and explained, "Since there is only about a 1% difference between candidates Lee Jaemyung and Kim Moonsu, if there was something to gain from Lee supporting Kim, people around them might suggest unification. But if you concede to a candidate who is going to lose anyway, you lose both credibility and value." He further predicted, "Candidate Lee Junseok is probably assuming that Lee Jaemyung will win and is planning to take the initiative in reorganizing the conservative political forces after the presidential election."

Regarding the Reform New Party's revelation that the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) faction proposed, "We’ll give you party leadership, so let’s unify," Woo said, "Even when he became party leader, he cut people off, so would he be tempted just by the offer of party leadership?" and continued, "Moreover, how could the pro-Yoon faction guarantee that after the presidential election?" Woo added, "This is essentially saying they are making deals with the party leadership, and the pro-Yoon faction is not thinking straight," and criticized, "If the pro-Yoon faction completely steps back, candidate Kim Moonsu could do well, but if it becomes known that they are manipulating things from behind the scenes, the centrist voters in Korea are not fools?they will not vote for them."

Regarding the Democratic Party’s caution about the ‘Lee Jaemyung inevitability’ narrative, Woo said, "It’s good to say we are working for victory, but figures like a 58% vote share are impossible," and pointed out, "It is a problem when people who have never campaigned sit around playing with numbers." He added, "Even if we win every region?Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Busan, Gyeongnam?we still would not reach 58%," emphasizing, "Spreading impossible stories has a negative impact on the election."