From Samsung Factory Floor to Political Race: Can She Lead Gyeonggi?

Translation result

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min has announced his endorsement of People Power Party candidate Yang Hyang-ja for governor of Gyeonggi Province.

In a video obtained by Dailian on May 30, Yoo described Yang as a self-made leader who, after finishing high school, started on the factory floor at Samsung Electronics, experienced industrial labor firsthand, and rose to an executive role.

Yoo said the most important question for Gyeonggi is how to advance the semiconductor industry. He noted that Yang spent more than 30 years at Samsung and understands both the sector’s future needs and what support the province should provide to help it grow.

He emphasized that while many candidates have impressive political resumes, someone who spent a career at a leading company like Samsung—focused on labor, jobs and semiconductor development—would be better positioned than career lawmakers consumed by partisan battles to elevate semiconductor-centered industries across Gyeonggi and create quality jobs for young people.

Yoo acknowledged that the People Power Party has reflected on its past actions involving incidents such as the Dec. 3 emergency martial law episode and impeachment efforts surrounding former President Yoon Seok-yeol. He said he recognizes the party, ballot number 2, has fallen short and made mistakes, and that he is working to address many of those shortcomings.

He added that Yang has similarly reflected on the party’s mistakes and is committed to reform. Yoo said he wants to join her in an effort to change conservative politics and, more broadly, political practice in South Korea.

Finally, Yoo appealed that deciding who will govern Gyeonggi for the next four years should be entrusted to a proven public servant, and he urged residents to make a wise judgment.

Yoo had intended to campaign in person for Yang but, due to scheduling conflicts, substituted an endorsement video.

Analysts view the endorsement as an attempt to attract centrist voters by leveraging Yoo’s appeal among moderates.

Earlier this month, Yoo has repeatedly appeared to endorse People Power Party candidates: on the 19th he visited the campaign of Incheon mayoral candidate Yoo Jeong-bok; on the 21st he joined a campaign rally for Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon; and on the 25th he campaigned in Pyeongtaek for Yoo Ui-dong in the National Assembly by-election.

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