[Interview] Yoon Yonggeun: "Chungnam Plays a Balancing Role... The Wind of Conservative Unity Will Reach Seoul"

Chungnam Voters Call for 'Restoring Balance'

Stresses Ability to 'Start Working Immediately as a Lawmaker'

Politics of Integration... 'Will Also Meet with Ruling Party Lawmakers'

"There is a growing wave of conservative unity in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. I believe this wave, which started in Chungnam, will reach Cheonan, Asan, and even Seoul. A week is enough."

On May 26, Yoon Yonggeun, the People Power Party candidate for the National Assembly by-election in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, Chungnam, spoke confidently in a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily. Yoon said, "The people of Chungcheong have always played the role of a balancing force in difficult times for the country. This time, there is a movement for conservative unity, with voters emphasizing the need for balance rather than favoring one side." He added, "The change in the poll results—where the gap with the ruling party was reversed recently—can be explained by this very trend."

Yoon Yonggeun, the People Power Party candidate for the Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang by-election, is having a conversation with local residents. Yoon Yonggeun campaign

Yoon stated, "Whenever I go to the markets, senior centers, or meet farmers, people always say the country is tilted too much to one side and urge not to fight." He continued, "If I go to the National Assembly, I promise to pursue politics based on unity and balance." He elaborated, "When enacting legislative proposals for regional development, I will also meet with Democratic Party lawmakers, try to persuade them, have meals together, and work collaboratively."

Upon entering the National Assembly, Yoon intends to pursue the enactment of the Special Act on Basic Farmland Lease Pension and the Special Act on Support for the Baekje Geumgang Economic Belt. Yoon explained, "Based on the Constitution, I plan to relax regulations so that elderly farmers can lease their farmland to private individuals or young farmers." He said, "Farmers will retain lifelong ownership of their land, receive pension payments through long-term leases, and users will be able to utilize the land at low costs."

Before declaring his candidacy for the region, Yoon underwent an internal party primary. He remarked, "If elected, I will have to start work immediately." He emphasized that his strengths include having already been thoroughly verified at the central party level in terms of legislation, budgeting, and administration, and that his preparation was a key factor for his high evaluation. Regarding the need for potential alignment with Kim Hyukjong, who ran as an independent after being cut off from the party nomination, Yoon said, "We absolutely need to move forward together," leaving the door open to potential unification.

Yoon vowed, "I will give my all, even until the very end of the campaign." "This time, I'm running with a sense of urgency. The party itself is facing a desperate situation," he said, emphasizing, "For conservatives, this seat is not just one more—it's an absolutely crucial seat for maintaining balance." He also expressed confidence, saying, "I firmly believe we can win in the region," and "I expect that the candidates for Chungnam Governor, Gongju Mayor, Buyeo County Governor, and Cheongyang County Governor will all be elected."

The following is a Q&A with candidate Yoon.

Yoon Yonggeun, candidate for the People Power Party in the by-election for the National Assembly representing Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, Chungnam. Yoon Yonggeun Campaign

-There is about a week left until election day. What is the local atmosphere?

▲The people of Chungcheong have always played a balancing role during difficult times. Where the sentiment of Chungcheong leans has always influenced presidential or major election outcomes. The people I met this time—especially senior conservatives in Chungnam—have a very strong desire for balance. As a result, conservative forces have completely united in Chungnam. For example, Chungnam Governor candidate Kim Taeheum was once trailing in the polls but has now surpassed his rivals. Gongju mayoral candidate Choi Woncheol’s support rate rose above 50%. Buyeo County Governor candidate Lee Yongwoo has also overtaken his competitor, and Cheongyang County Governor candidate Kim Hongyeol is now leading. Thanks to the renewed unity among the people of Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang seeking balance, I was also able to catch up and turn the polls in my favor.

-You are in a close race in the polls with Democratic Party candidate Kim Youngbin for the by-election in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. What is your take?

▲The wave of conservative unity starting in Chungnam—including moderates—will only get stronger. I am confident that the powerful wave from Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang will definitely sweep through Cheonan, Asan, Gyeonggi Province, and even Seoul. A week is enough. The unification of the Chungcheong conservatives is an attempt to become the balancing force, and this could become the barometer of the election. Recently, even former President Park Geun-hye visited, further fueling this trend.

Candidate Kim Youngbin cannot survive politically on his own. Moreover, the limitations of Democratic Party’s candidate for Chungnam governor Park Soo-hyun have already been exposed, leading Kim to no longer mention Park. Kim is a great talent, but he has never been in politics. On the other hand, I became a lawyer after overcoming adversity and have represented many ordinary people facing hardships. I understand the struggles and pain of ordinary citizens and know how to stand with them. After taking on various roles within the party, I am now running for the National Assembly. Kim, on the other hand, lacks this experience. That is why I firmly believe I can win. I also believe Kim Taeheum, Choi Woncheol, Lee Yongwoo, and Kim Hongyeol will all be elected.

-Did former President Park Geun-hye’s campaign stop in the region have an impact?

▲When former President Park visited the Gongju market, it saw the largest crowd since its opening. There were so many people that it was difficult to make it through the market. The level of support was intense. Former President Park is the most highly respected senior among conservatives, and her visit to Gongju generated a tremendous conservative momentum.

-Any campaign stories that left a strong impression during the election?

▲When I visit markets or senior centers, and when I meet with farmers, people always say two things. First, the country has tilted too far in one direction and needs balance. The second is, don't fight. So, I have promised that, if elected to the National Assembly, I will not fight and will always work to maintain balance. I pledged to practice politics of unity. When legislating for regional development, I committed to meeting with Democratic Party lawmakers, to persuading them, to having meals together, and to doing everything necessary. I have also been told that lawmakers disappear after being elected, but I promised to be visible and accessible. I pledged to engage in grassroots, resident-focused politics. To this end, I spend my evenings at village halls after sunset, talking with residents late into the night. I believe that the answer can be found in the field.

-You went through a party primary before becoming the candidate for Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. What was that experience like?

▲Rather than nominating a single candidate, the party held a primary to improve candidate competitiveness. Although there was the matter of former Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jinseok, in the end, my nomination was confirmed. I received high marks both when I applied and during the interview process. Because this is a by-election, when the voting ends on June 3, I will have to start my work the very next day. There’s no time to prepare. But I have all the qualities needed as a member of the National Assembly who can get to work immediately. At the party headquarters, I have already taken on many roles relating to legislation, the budget, and administration, and have built up strong political experience through holding core posts.

-How do you view former chief of staff Jeong Jinseok’s decision?

▲Former Chief Jeong is a towering figure in the party and a highly respected senior leader locally as well. This time, he made a very difficult decision. He not only made that decision but, setting aside his own position, personally attended the opening of my campaign office to encourage me. He continues to provide a lot of support. For conservatives, this seat in the National Assembly is not just one seat—it is an absolutely crucial one to maintain balance. That’s why I am running with a sense of urgency. The residents of Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang understand this very well and are uniting around the same cause.

On the 13th, Yoon Yonggeun, the People Power Party candidate for the by-election in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, Chungnam, declared his candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Office. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

-What do you want to accomplish if elected to the National Assembly?

▲There are two things I want to do first. The first is to create a Special Act on Basic Farmland Lease Pension so that farmland becomes a source of retirement income. The greatest challenge in the countryside today is aging. Many elderly residents can no longer farm due to old age. However, under the current ownership-by-farmers principle in Korea, only certified farmers can own or lease farmland, which is legally prohibited for others. Nevertheless, Article 121, Section 2 of the Constitution allows for exceptions: farmland can be leased by law if it is to improve agricultural productivity or utilize farmland more efficiently. Based on this, I want to ease regulations so land can be freely leased to private individuals or young farmers. By allowing 10-, 20-, or even 30-year long-term leases with monthly pension payments, farmland users can utilize land at a low cost, while elderly farmers retain their lifelong ownership and receive pension income through leasing. Of course, there is already a so-called ‘Farmland Bank’ system allowing income in a pension-like format, but that requires pledging one’s farmland as collateral. Many are reluctant to use that system for fear of losing the land they have farmed all their lives. I believe this new policy could be applied not only in this region but nationwide.

The second is to enact the Special Act on Support for the Baekje Geumgang Economic Belt. The Geumgang River flows through this area, and Baekje culture was centered around the Geumgang. By revitalizing Baekje tourism, I want to increase the number of one-person creative businesses. I plan to provide facilities, equipment, office space, and even housing so that such businesses can come to Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. These businesses will be able to help local farmers sell specialty goods—Gongju is famous for chestnuts, and 70% of watermelons and 40% of mini-tomatoes consumed are produced in Buyeo. Cheongyang is well-known for wolfberry and Cheongyang chili peppers. There are also many young farmers here. One-person creative businesses will be able to earn income from selling local specialties, and farmers benefit from increased sales, leading to mutually beneficial relationships.

-You suggested the possibility of broad conservative unification. Is this still on the table?

▲Candidate Kim Hyukjong has long been involved in conservative politics and has been dedicated to the region; he is an extremely talented young politician. I firmly believe we should move forward together, and that it must happen. Just as former chief of staff Jeong Jinseok made a great decision, I trust and expect that candidate Kim will also make a great decision at the right time for the success of conservatism and to safeguard the country—based solely on that one principle. I hope to deliver good news soon.

-What is your last-minute campaign strategy?

▲I am running with the utmost sense of urgency. Our party itself is in a critical situation now. I am earnestly appealing to each resident, one by one, asking them for their support. I intend to give my all right until the very end. If I collapse, it will be in the street. If I die, it will be in the street.

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