Yoo Dongchul Announces Withdrawal from Ruling Party Supreme Council By-Election, Bolstering Pro-Lee Candidate

Yoo Dongchul Draws a Line Against Pro-Chung Candidates Moon Jeongbok and Lee Sungyun
Decision Aimed at Preventing Vote Splitting Among Pro-Lee Candidates

Yoo Dongchul, the standing representative of the Democratic National Innovation Council, who had participated in the by-election for the Supreme Council of the Democratic Party of Korea, has announced his decision not to run. This move is interpreted as an effort to consolidate support for the pro-Lee Jae-myung candidate, given concerns that votes among the three pro-Lee candidates (Kang Deukgu, Yoo Dongchul, and Lee Geontae) would be split.

On the 6th, in front of the press briefing room at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeouido, Yoo Dongchul, the standing representative of the Democratic Party Innovation Council, is taking a photo holding hands with Lee Geontae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, right after a back briefing. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

On January 6, at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeouido, Representative Yoo held a press conference and announced that he would not run in the by-election for the Supreme Council of the Democratic Party of Korea. Aiming at the pro-Chung candidates (Moon Jungbok and Lee Sungyun), Representative Yoo stated, "The one-person-one-vote system is being used as a tool for someone's leadership race, or as a weapon to attack those who propose debate and deliberation," and added, "I propose to some of the Supreme Council candidates: Please focus all attention and capabilities on the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration."

Yoo's withdrawal is interpreted as a strategy to secure the election of two pro-Lee candidates to the three vacant Supreme Council seats. On this day, Assemblyman Lee Geontae remained present from the beginning to the end of the press conference. In a statement released that day, Assemblyman Lee said, "The policies and promises proposed by Representative Yoo-such as support for strategic regions, the revival of local party chapters, and measures to foster new politicians in challenging regions-are valuable assets that all candidates and the party should inherit." Assemblyman Kang also expressed support on Facebook, stating, "I support Representative Yoo's future endeavors," and emphasized, "The issues Representative Yoo has raised, especially the difficulties faced by candidates in weaker regions, must never be ignored."

Representative Yoo has positioned himself as a pro-Lee candidate and has drawn clear lines against pro-Chung candidates. In response to Assemblywoman Moon's pre-primary comment referring to him as a "reckless thunderbolt," he remarked again at the first joint speech session on December 23 of last year, "Some mockingly say I am a 'reckless thunderbolt who needs to be disciplined.'" At the candidate debate held the previous day, Representative Yoo also pointed out, "Assemblyman Lee Sungyun, when asked by a moderator at the end of last year whether he is classified as pro-Lee or pro-Chung, said, 'I am pro-Chung.' It is Lee Sungyun who is shaking President Lee Jaemyung."