Yoo Seong-min's potential Gyeonggi governor bid draws mixed reactions

Within the conservative camp, a consensus is forming regarding former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min's candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial election, but the lawmaker himself is reportedly not willing to run. The conservative camp is converging on the opinion that Yoo's participation is necessary to contest the Gyeonggi Province governor's race effectively in the upcoming local elections. It is understood that Yoo has not responded positively to direct contact from Lee Jung-hyun, chairman of the People Power Party's nomination committee, nor to indirect signals from leader Jang Dong-hyuk.

Political circles analyze that Yoo is declining the candidacy due to a combination of factors, including lingering hurt from the 'traitor' frame, discomfort during the nomination process for Assembly member Kim Eun-hye four years ago, disregard for demands for change from the party's mainstream, and potential harm to his family.

While some suggest that leader Jang Dong-hyuk needs to step back to persuade Yoo to change his mind, figures close to the party leadership argue that there is no alternative to Jang and that the current leadership must guide the election. Former lawmaker Kim Young-woo criticized the nomination of Assembly member Kim Eun-hye four years ago and proposed Jang's retreat from the front lines and Yoo's participation in an innovation election committee. Meanwhile, former Assembly member Jung Ok-im asserted that Yoo should step forward if Jang steps down.