Korean Politics in Crisis: How Will the ‘Yoon Again’ Faction Affect Upcoming Elections?

On March 3rd, members of the ‘Alternatives and Future’ group, comprising young lawmakers from the People Power Party, invited Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok to the National Assembly for a discussion titled “Diagnosis and Solutions for the Crisis of Korean Conservatism!” [Photo=Yonhap News]

[iNews24 Reporter Yoo Beom-yeol] On March 10th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, criticized the People Power Party’s establishment for claiming to distance themselves from the ‘Yoon Again’ group, including Jeon Han-gil, ahead of local elections. Lee accused them of public posturing while privately maintaining ties, questioning their sincerity.

Lee took to Facebook, referencing Jeon’s recent YouTube statements. He pointed out that while the People Power Party leadership publicly denies any alignment with the ‘Yoon Again’ forces, they are covertly reassuring conspiracy theorists through Supreme Council member Kim Min-soo that it’s merely a ‘strategic separation,’ urging patience.

In his YouTube video, Jeon revealed that during a lunch meeting with Kim, he was privately informed that the break with former President Yoon Suk Yeol was not Representative Jang Dong-hyuk’s official stance.

Lee argued, “We’ve seen this strategy play out before. Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn took the same approach, relying on Jeon Kwang-hoon’s rallies and ignoring the fervor of the Taegeukgi units.” He continued, “The result? A crushing defeat in the 2020 general elections, his resignation, and political downfall. And what followed? Jeon Kwang-hoon turned on Hwang, spreading false accusations of a ‘5 billion KRW (3.75 million USD) nomination fee.'”

Lee cautioned, “The support they’ve borrowed is a debt, and they’ll have to pay interest.”

He further criticized the People Power Party leadership’s response to Jeon’s three-day ultimatum, noting their evasive reply: “We have nothing to say; interpret it as you will.” Lee questioned, “How can a leadership that can’t even stand up to one conspiracy theorist be trusted to break ties with martial law advocates?”

Kim Min-soo, a known hardliner in the leadership, stated at a conservative YouTube channel discussion, “Chanting ‘Yoon Again’ won’t win the June 3 local elections. The 52% approval rating during the impeachment is dwindling as you persist with ‘Yoon Again.’ We need a long-term perspective.”

In a YouTube interview with the Munhwa Ilbo, Representative Jang emphasized that Jeon should clarify his stance on working with ‘Yoon Again.’ Jang stated, “Conservatives have diverse thoughts, goals, and issues. The solution to these is winning the local elections.”

Jang then addressed Jeon, saying, “It’s not about asking if you can join us. Rather, Jeon should work with me, Jang Dong-hyuk, who leads the People Power Party capable of addressing these issues.”