Political Turmoil Ahead of Lunar New Year: Insights from 'Strong Opponents' on TV CHOSUN

Tonight at 9:10 PM, TV CHOSUN will air the talk show '강적들' (Strong Opponents), featuring Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Chief of the Reform Party's Special Advisory Group Cho Eung-cheon, Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon, and former CBS Editorial Director Kim Kyu-wan. The discussion will focus on the shifting public sentiment amid the chaotic impeachment politics as the Lunar New Year approaches.

As the political landscape remains tumultuous due to the impeachment crisis, the possibility of an early presidential election has emerged as a hot topic at family gatherings during the holiday. Kim Kyu-wan noted, "The ruling party has effectively entered the presidential campaign phase and is already gathering most of its camp members." Mayor Oh expressed concerns over allegations of election fraud, stating, "We conducted in-depth analyses and discussions regarding the suspicions of election fraud during the 2020 general election, but none were substantiated. Following that, we achieved an unprecedented victory in the April 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election." He added, "I find it emotionally difficult to agree with the allegations of election fraud. If these continue to spread, our party will struggle to hold elections."

Furthermore, Mayor Oh asserted, "If we do not agree to a shortened constitutional amendment, it will be difficult to win in an early election. If Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, becomes president, he will not amend the constitution." Cho Eung-cheon predicted that when Lee runs for the presidency, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, will take charge of the party, suggesting that the People Power Party must face an early election as 'the People Power Party without Yoon Seok-yeol' against 'the Democratic Party with Lee Jae-myung' to have a chance of winning.

Professor Jin commented on the current situation of the People Power Party, stating, "Chairman Kwon Young-se's attempt to appeal to both the hardline supporters and the moderates feels like a hot iced coffee." Mayor Oh likened the leadership of the People Power Party to that of an aircraft carrier captain, describing Kwon as "more experienced than effective."

Recent polls indicate that the People Power Party's support has surpassed that of the Democratic Party, raising alarms within Lee Jae-myung's leadership. Mayor Oh remarked, "Looking at the series of events like the KakaoTalk martial law and polling martial law, it seems that Lee is becoming anxious and tense in unexpected situations." He assessed that while Lee might think he can deceive the public with superficial changes, such sudden shifts in stance will ultimately backfire on him. Oh noted, "The anxiety and distrust regarding Lee becoming the presidential candidate are reflected in the numbers, yet I believe that despite all efforts, Lee will emerge as the candidate 99.9% of the time." Professor Jin added, "What Lee fears most is the Honam region, as voters there may be swayed by the results of the election law trial." Meanwhile, Cho analyzed that the high support rates for President Yoon in Honam, as shown in some polls, indicate that moderates are joining the anti-Lee sentiment, fueled by the Democratic Party's excessive impeachment actions. Kim Kyu-wan also stated that the rise in support for President Yoon reflects the backlash against Lee following his arrest, indicating a growing anti-Lee sentiment.