Time for our series of reports on the five major-party presidential hopefuls and their
efforts to swing voters in their favor.
Today... our Kim Hyesung shows us how Yoo Seong-min from the splinter right-wing Bareun
Party is promising to provide new hope for the conservatives.
Clear and rational, but also warm and compassionate.
Under the slogan "New hope for conservatives," presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min of the
Bareun Party, which recently split with what's now the Liberty Korea Party, has vowed to
answer the people's call for political reform and social justice.
The 59-year-old former economist entered politics in 2000.
He's in his fourth term as a lawmaker representing his hometown of Daegu, and in 2015 served
as floor leader for the now-defunct Saenuri Party.
On the first day of campaigning, Yoo seong-min visited the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial
Hall, showing his strong stance on national defense.
Located where U.S.-led allied forces landed in 1950 and turned back North Korean forces
in the first year of the Korean War, it was a symbol of his determination to turn the
tide of this short presidential race in his favor.
In the first three days of the campaign, Yoo also visited schools, traditional markets
and subway stations across Seoul.
But he hasn't limited his campaign to the capital city,... or just to the regions with
a history of voting conservative.
"Here at Pungnammun Gate in Jeonju, people of all ages have come out to support Yoo Seong-min,
who is making his first visit to the southern part of the country since the start of the
official campaign period.
"I already visited the southeastern region, my home turf of Daegu, a couple times before
the official start of campaigning.
So, as my first stop outside the capital, I wanted to visit the southwest, where my
support is the lowest.
I'm not playing regional politics, so be it southeast or southwest, I'm willing to go
anywhere as long as there are citizens who long for a new conservatism."
With warm smiles, handshakes and hugs, Yoo greeted his supporters in Jeonju who had waited
hours to see him.
"He has the virtues to be a good, reliable politician and the required skill sets to
lead our country as the son of the late parliament member Yoo Soo-ho."
"I think Yoo Seong-min really nailed the presidential TV debates.
He has confidence and a clear set of beliefs and values."
"Out of all the candidates, Yoo Seong-min has the most knowledge of defense and economic
policy."
As a center-right politician with a conservative stance on defense and liberal economic policies,
Yoo explained why he broke from the former ruling Saenuri Party in 2016 and founded the
Bareun Party.
"The reason I founded the Bareun Party is not just because of the impeachment of the
former president.
I want to start a new kind of clean politics.
We are at a time when social inequality is at a record high.
I want to reform the country and help the middle class."
To do that, Yoo's Bareun Party headquarters in Seoul has laid out detailed policies to
create a fairer market economy supported by more generous social welfare.
"Our party's goal is to create a country where people want to start families and raise children.
And our candidate Yoo seong-min, who has a PhD in economics and experience working at
the Korea Development Institute, has more economic expertise than any other presidential
candidate."
Despite his detailed campaign pledges, Yoo's support remains in the single digits.
The Bareun Party is pinning its hopes on Yoo's strong performance in the debates, which has
made headlines, and his creative campaign.
"Our group was formed only recently, and we can't spend as much money as the other camps.
To maximize efficiency, we're being creative -- like using bicycles and scooters instead
of cars and trucks for our street campaign, which helps create a sense of friendliness."
At a time when people are disillusioned with the conservative bloc following the nation's
biggest corruption scandal, candidate Yoo Seong-min is pledging to create a warm, new
conservatism that can bring the country together.
SOV "If you vote for me, I will create a new Korea
"
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.