[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'

"A wind of conservative unity is rising in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. I believe this wind, which started in Chungnam, will pass through Cheonan and Asan and reach Seoul. One week is enough."

Yoon Yonggeun, the People Power Party candidate for the by-election in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, Chungnam, expressed this confidence in a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily on May 26. Candidate Yoon stated, "The sentiment in Chungcheong has always played a balancing role whenever the country is in difficulty. This time, there is a strong movement for conservative unity, with people emphasizing that support should not be overly concentrated on one side and that balance must be achieved." He explained, "The recent reversal in the polls, after initially trailing the ruling party, is due to this reason."

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

He said, "When I visit markets, senior centers, or meet farmers, they always say that the country has tilted too much to one side and urge us not to fight," adding, "If I go to the National Assembly, I promise to practice politics of integration, not conflict, and to maintain balance." He further explained, "When drafting legislation for regional development, I plan to meet, persuade, and even dine with members of the Democratic Party."

If elected to the National Assembly, the bills he wants to prioritize include: the Special Act on Basic Pensions for Farmland Leasing and the Special Act to Support the Baekje Geumgang Economic Belt. Yoon explained, "Based on constitutional provisions, I intend to ease regulations so that elderly farmers can lease land to private individuals or young farmers." He added, "Farmers will retain ownership for life and receive pensions through long-term leases, while users will be able to utilize farmland at low cost."

Before declaring his candidacy in the region, Yoon participated in a party primary. He remarked, "If elected, I will need to get to work immediately," noting, "I have already been vetted by the central party in terms of legislation, budget, and administration, and my preparedness received high marks." Regarding the possibility of unification with Kim Hyukjong, who ran as an independent after being cut off from the party nomination, Yoon said, "We absolutely need to work together," leaving the door open for a single conservative candidate.

Yoon stated, "I will do my utmost until the very end of the campaign." He emphasized, "I am running with a sense of real urgency this time. The party is also in a desperate situation," and stressed, "For conservatives, this seat is not just another seat; it is an absolutely crucial one that can serve as a balancing weight."He also said, "I am confident we can win locally," adding, "I believe the candidates for Chungnam governor, Gongju mayor, Buyeo county governor, and Cheongyang county governor, all from our party, can win as well."

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 the election. How is the atmosphere in the region?

▲Public sentiment in Chungcheong has always played a balancing role during difficult times. The outcome of presidential and major elections has always changed depending on where Chungcheong leans. The people I have met this time, especially the conservative elders in Chungnam, have a strong sense that balance must be maintained. As a result, conservatives in Chungnam have united completely. Chungnam governor candidate Kim Taeheum was initially trailing in the polls but managed to turn things around. Gongju mayor candidate Choi Woncheol has surpassed 50% support. Buyeo county governor candidate Lee Yongwoo has also taken the lead, and Cheongyang county governor candidate Kim Hongyeol is ahead. Thanks to the resurgence of unity among voters in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, I, too, was able to reverse the poll results.

-The by-election is a close race between you and Kim Youngbin, the Democratic Party candidate for Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang.

▲The wind of conservative unity that began in Chungnam, which now includes moderates, will only grow stronger. The powerful wind blowing in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang will, I believe, travel through Cheonan and Asan and reach Gyeonggi Province and Seoul. One week is enough. The unification of Chungcheong conservatives is an attempt to achieve balance. This could become a barometer for the election. Former President Park Geun-hye also visited recently.

Kim Youngbin cannot survive on his own. Meanwhile, the limitations of Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party's candidate for Chungnam governor, have already been revealed. Because of this, Kim no longer mentions Park. Kim is a talented individual, but he has no political experience. In contrast, I became a lawyer under difficult circumstances and have represented many ordinary citizens in hardship. I know their struggles and pains and can share in their lives. After serving various roles within the party, I became a candidate for the National Assembly. Kim does not have this kind of experience. That is why I believe I can win. I also believe Kim Taeheum, Choi Woncheol, Lee Yongwoo, and Kim Hongyeol can all win.

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

▲When former President Park visited Gongju Market, it was probably the largest crowd since the market was founded. There were so many people that it was difficult to get through. So many supporters turned out that one could not help but sweat. Former President Park is the most respected elder of our conservatives, and her visit to Gongju has created an enormous wave of conservative sentiment.

-Is there a campaign episode that stands out in your memory?

▲When I go to markets, senior centers, or meet farmers, there are always two things they say. The first is that the country has tilted too much to one side and that balance must be restored. The second is not to fight. So I promised that if I go to the National Assembly, I will not fight and will definitely maintain balance, and I will practice politics of integration. When drafting legislation for regional development, I also promised to meet, persuade, and dine with Democratic Party lawmakers. Another thing people say is that Members of the National Assembly are never seen again after being elected, so I promised to be very visible. I pledged to practice grassroots politics. To this end, after traveling around the region, I spend nights at village halls talking with residents until late. I believe the answer lies on the ground.

-You went through a primary before receiving the nomination for Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang.

▲Rather than granting the nomination unconditionally, the party held a primary to enhance candidate competitiveness. There was also the matter of former chief presidential secretary Jeong Jinseok, but in the end, my nomination was confirmed. I received excellent scores both when I applied for the nomination and during interviews. Since this is a by-election, once voting ends on June 3, I will have to start work immediately the next day. There is no time to prepare. I am qualified to begin working as a legislator right away. I have played various roles in the central party related to legislation, budget, and administration, and have built up key political experience through important party positions.

-What is your view on the decision of former chief presidential secretary Jeong Jinseok?

▲Former secretary Jeong is a great pillar and respected elder of the party, especially in the region. He made a difficult decision this time. Not only did he make the decision, but he also attended my campaign office opening to encourage me. Even now, he is providing a lot of support from behind the scenes. For conservatives, this National Assembly seat is not just another seat; it is an absolutely crucial one that can serve as a balancing weight. That is why I am campaigning with a sense of urgency. The residents of Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang are well aware of this and are uniting around the same sentiment.

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 Pensions for Farmland Leasing and make it possible for farmland to become a source of pension income. Currently, the most pressing issue in rural areas is aging. Many elderly people can no longer farm due to aging. However, under the principle of self-cultivation, only farmers can own or lease farmland in Korea; the law prohibits others from doing so. However, Article 121, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution provides an exception: farmland can be leased by law to increase agricultural productivity or for the purpose of utilizing farmland. Based on this, I aim to relax regulations so that farmland can be freely leased to private individuals and young farmers. The idea is to allow 10-, 20-, or 30-year long-term leases, with lease payments made in the form of a monthly pension. In this way, users will be able to utilize farmland at low cost, and elderly farmers will retain ownership and receive pension income from leasing their land. Of course, there is already a farmland bank system that provides income in the form of a pension, but it requires farmers to provide land ownership as collateral. This can create anxiety about losing ownership of the land they have farmed for life, which makes people reluctant to use it. I believe this policy could be applied not only in this region but nationwide.

The second is to create a Special Act to Support the Baekje Geumgang Economic Belt. The Geumgang River flows through this region, and Baekje culture was formed around the Geumgang. I want to promote Baekje tourism and support the establishment of one-person creative enterprises here. In particular, I plan to provide facilities, equipment, and office space so that one-person creative enterprises can set up in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, as well as housing. These enterprises will also be able to sell local specialties on behalf of the region. Gongju is famous for chestnuts, 70% of the watermelons and 40% of the cherry tomatoes we eat come from Buyeo, and Cheongyang is well-known for goji berries and Cheongyang chili peppers. There are also many young farmers. One-person creative enterprises can increase their income by selling these specialties, and farmers will benefit from increased sales. This will help both sides to prosper together.

-You have suggested the possibility of a unified conservative candidacy. Is this still valid?

▲Candidate Kim Hyukjong has long been involved in conservative politics and has been devoted to the region. He is a very capable young politician. I believe we must go together. Just as former secretary Jeong made a major decision, I believe Kim Hyukjong will also, at the right time, make a significant decision for the victory of conservatives and the principle that conservatives must protect this country. I expect good news soon.

-What is your final campaign strategy?

▲I am running with a very urgent heart this time. Our party itself is in a desperate situation. I am earnestly appealing to every resident to hold their hand and ask for their vote. I plan to do my utmost until the very end. If I collapse, it will be on the street. If I die, it will be on the street.

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