The Democratic Party of Korea on the 28th brought in former Minister of Environment Yoon Yeo-joon, a senior figure in the conservative camp, as the permanent campaign chairperson. It has been six months since candidate Lee Jae-myung met with the former minister last October to seek his opinions on current political issues. This marks a role for the candidate, who declared himself a 'centrist conservative,' as a conservative strategist. It is expected to play a symbolic role in the future for 'Lee Jae-myung's rightward shift' and the expansion of its external influence.
Candidate Lee said after paying his respects at the National Cemetery that, "Former Minister Yoon Yeo-joon is someone who often provides me with advice and wisdom." He added, "Although there are many individuals, I requested the former minister to take overall charge of the campaign committee as a representative figure, and fortunately, he agreed."
The former minister is a 'frequent hire' in the political circles of both parties. Having entered politics as a close aide to former Grand National Party chairman Lee Hoi-chang, he has served as a problem-solver in major elections and is referred to as the 'conservative strategist.' He began his public service in 1977 and has held various positions in the Cheong Wa Dae (Presidential Office) during the administrations of Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, and Kim Young-sam, including the roles of Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, Senior Secretary for Public Relations, and Minister of Environment. He has also gained the nickname 'kingmaker' for supporting both Presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in.
In 2012, then-Democratic Party leader Moon Jae-in, who was a candidate for the presidential election, appointed former Minister Yoon as the head of the National Integration Promotion Committee. The following year, he helped establish the government during President Park Geun-hye's transition committee, and in January 2014, he directed the founding efforts of Ahn Cheol-soo's new party. However, in March of that year, after Ahn declared a 'merger' with then-Democratic Party leader Kim Han-gil, he left Ahn's party. In January 2016, he rejoined Ahn’s new party, which was then independent, and took on the role of chair of the party preparation committee.
The Democratic Party plans to announce appointments, including the former minister, at the campaign committee's launch ceremony as early as the 30th. According to party officials, in addition to the former minister, they are also considering the recruitment of multiple external figures for the purpose of expanding their influence.