Yoo Si-min: "Cho Kuk's Victory in Pyeongtaek Eul Is Better... Kim Yongnam Came from the Other Side"

Yoo Si-min: "Cho Kuk Is Originally a Democratic Party Member"

Unification Talks Stalled in Five-Way By-Election Race

Writer Yoo Si-min has sparked controversy by suggesting that the election of Cho Kuk, the National Innovation Party candidate for the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul parliamentary by-election, would be "somewhat better" than the election of Kim Yongnam, the Democratic Party candidate. As Kim and Cho compete for votes from the pro-government bloc, the rivalry between the two candidates appears to be intensifying into negative campaigning rather than discussions of a unified candidacy.

Writer Yoo Si-min. Photo by Hyunghan Hur

On the 21st, Yoo appeared on the YouTube channel "Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard - News Factory" and commented on the Pyeongtaek-eul election, saying, "Cho Kuk, who is originally from the Democratic Party, is now running against the Democratic Party candidate." He then targeted Kim Yongnam by stating, "Who is the Democratic Party candidate? Someone from the other party." Kim has a history of working with conservative parties such as the Saenuri Party in the past.

Regarding Cho, Yoo explained, "He did not want to cause division and turmoil within the Democratic Party because of himself, so he was left with no other choice but to create the National Innovation Party," emphasizing, "Cho Kuk is originally from the Democratic Party." He added that if Kim were to be elected, "It would be good for the Democratic Party in the short term, but I worry whether it would be good for Korea." Yoo continued, "For social reform through unity and solidarity, it might be better for Cho to win," adding, "I am concerned because it seems that Democratic Party members are not reflecting on their choices and are only focused on fighting for immediate power."

Meanwhile, this Pyeongtaek-eul by-election features a five-way race between Democratic Party candidate Kim Yongnam, National Innovation Party candidate Cho Kuk, People Power Party candidate Yoo Eidong, Progressive Party candidate Kim Jaeyeon, and Liberty and Innovation candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn. According to recent polls, Kim, Cho, and Yoo are in a close contest. In a survey conducted by Korea Research on behalf of MBC from May 16 to 18, targeting 500 eligible voters in Pyeongtaek-eul, Kim received 31%, Cho 27%, and Yoo 17%. Among those who said they would definitely vote, Kim had 33% and Cho 32%, indicating a neck-and-neck race.

Democratic Party candidate Kim Yongnam, running for the National Assembly by-election in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, appeals for support at the departure rally held in front of Anjung Market in Pyeongtaek on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

With the race remaining extremely close, the possibility of candidate unification has been raised as a variable, but the confrontation between Kim and Cho is only intensifying. During his campaign on the 21st, Kim made a remark directed at Cho, saying, "How envious must you be of the color blue that you made your face turn blue?" This was in reference to Cho's recent campaign appearances with a bruise around his right eye after bumping into a glass door, alluding to blue, the symbolic color of the Democratic Party.

Cho Kuk, Chairman of the Central Election Countermeasures Committee of the National Innovation Party and candidate for the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul parliamentary by-election, is speaking at the 1st Election Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th of last month. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The National Innovation Party criticized Kim's remark, stating, "It is excessive to mock a candidate's injury," expressing their displeasure. Cho's camp has also continued to raise issues with Kim's past actions. They have called for an explanation from Kim, highlighting his statements and political career as a former member of conservative parties. Amid all this, Yoo's comments have further fueled the contest, turning the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election into a symbolic battleground for leadership within the broader pro-government bloc, surpassing the scope of a typical local by-election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.