This episode of 언알바 ( must know media translated )* concentrated on analyzing the emerging power struggle within the so called People's Power Party and how their candidates may fair in the future "primary" process within the major oppostion conservative party. Currently, the leading candidate for president on the right who recently affiliated with the PPP is Yoon Seok-yeol, the former Prosecutor General who left the Moon Jae-in administration and represents an anti- Moon constituency. Yoon is posing as a non-political outsider which often presents a popular option in election campaigns but tends to be unsuccesful in the long run. (Remember Ban Ki-moon's failed campaign?)
Yoon was always a conservative, but an opportunist at heart, showing no hesitancy to participate in the impeachment investigation and trial of former conservative president Park Geun-hye. Yoon's claim to fame as a "reformer" primarily derives from orchestrating prosecutions of political rivals on the left, for "corruption" whether they deserve it or not. Lately, Yoon has expressed some silly or unsophisticated views on political issues that have caused his standing in the polls to drop. Among these is that he regrets participating in the prosecution of Park Geun-hye. This is a black mark for some in the opposing faction within the PPP. His other statements on economic, regulatory, and foreign affairs, are viewed by some observers as "stupid" or at least politically inept. This broadcast emphasized that Yoon's public statements reveal that he over indulges in extreme right youtube videos.
Conservative presidential candidate Hong Joong-pyo has been employing his sharp wit to criticize Yoon Seok-yeol publicly. Yoon's considerable political camp within the PPP includes perhaps a dozen current or former assembly members. They are basically not participating in general party organizing activities intended to mobilize political support and achieve party goals. The pro-Yoon faction generally opposes young party leader, Lee Jun-seok's organizing initiatives and party committee appointments, fearing he may skew the primary processes to select a rival candidate against Yoon. Kim Mu-sung, a party elder, and Yoo Seung-min, a current candidate for president, appear to be supporters of party leader Lee.
Lee Jun-seok, was a protege of the former impeached President Park Geun-hye. Yoon publicly described himself as "a porpoise" in comparison to young party leader Lee Jun-seok, who Yoon described as a "minnow." Lee had characterized Yoon as ( 꼰대 ) boomer (old fashioned, ubervisor, narrow minded, etc.) emphasizing his lack of appeal to younger voters. Following up on Yoon's play on words, candidate Hong said Yoon was a cobblestone or rock ( 돌맹이 ) rather than a porpoise ( 돌고래 ) drawing attention to the Yoon's "gaffe a day" campaign. Some of the conservative constituency is finding this a valid criticism. Ignoring Yoon's unprofessional conduct as a prosecutor, and the alleged corruption scandals surrounding his wife and mother in law, some conservatives still question whether the welfare and security of South Korea can be entrusted to a blockhead who gets his information from dubious internet sources. Did you seee the pictures of Yoon posing in bed with his beloved poodles and cats? Social media commentary runs as follows: What was that? Who is running his campaign? Choi Soon-sil? He looks like a dupe. Is he competent to run the Blue House, the country? As can be seen from the graphic above, Hong made substantial strides in the recent poll of public opinion closing the gap with Yoon.
Summary of important events in the campaign schedule affecting all parties. Registration of preliminary candidates opened on July 12, 2021; The Democratic Party will select its presidential candidate by September 9; The PPP will select its presidential candidate by November 9. In 2022, official registration of presidential candidates begins Feburary 13-14, with the election activity officially beginning Feb. 15; Early ballots March 4-5 and final ballots March 9, 2022.
If Yoon's faction were to bolt from the PPP, residual party members and candidates could form an arrangement with Ahn Chul-su, the perennial independent presidential candidate. The broadcast emphasized Ahn's purported credentials as a political outsider as well and how his approach to presidential campaigns has been unsuccessful in the past.
YTN news is reporting that the Committee to Investigate Crimes by Senior Government Officials has secured a warrant to obtain Justice Ministry and prosecution office records pertaining to official actions by Yoon Seok-yeol related to a "botched" investigation of the Optimus Scandal by Yoon, and an investigation into allegations of Yoon's interference in efforts to uncover falsified evidence in prosecution of former Prime Minister Han Myeong. Witnesses are expected to be called after the records are obtained. The possibility of Yoon being called as a witness himself while primaries are pending is raising complaints of "election interference."
* note: this post relies heavily on the credited source, but also relies on other South Korean political reports as well.
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