Won Hee-ryong Targets Hong Joon-pyo: "Is This the Time for a Family Feud? Not When the Emergency Committee Is Shaking"

Won Hee-ryong, Jeju City, attended the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee hearing on the 20th, answering questions from lawmakers during the national audit of Gangwon Province, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Chungcheongbuk Province, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Won Heeryong, Governor of Jeju, considered a potential presidential candidate from the opposition, has targeted Assemblyman Hong Joonpyo, who has been sharply criticizing the 'Kim Jongin Emergency Response Committee system' day after day.

On the 1st, Governor Won posted on his Facebook, "Now is the time to unite around the Emergency Response Committee. It is not the time to shake the Emergency Response Committee," expressing his strong opinion.

Earlier, former leader Hong said in an interview with a media outlet, "(If the Emergency Response Committee continues as it is) Chairman Kim Jongin should step down." Through Facebook, he also criticized, saying, "Are you trying to become the Democratic Party's second squad?" and "An irresponsible illegitimate son is driving out the legitimate eldest son."

In response, Governor Won said he "does not agree" with the call for the Emergency Response Committee's resignation and pointed out regarding the legitimate son-illegitimate son criticism, "We are not in a situation to engage in legitimate-illegitimate disputes right now."

He stated, "The struggle and dedication that former leader Hong has shown against the Democratic Party regime since entering politics deserve respect. If we consider the legitimacy since the civilian government that broke away from authoritarianism, he is indeed the legitimate eldest son of the Korean conservative camp and fully qualified to criticize Chairman Kim," but emphasized, "Change and innovation are not based on genealogy and seniority."

Governor Won added, "Was Angela Merkel the legitimate eldest daughter of German conservatism, or was Donald Trump the legitimate eldest son of American conservatism? King Sejong was also the third son," and said, "None of that matters at all."

He said, "What the people and party members are asking us is simple. First, 'Can you bring about a regime change?' and second, 'Is your governance good for the Republic of Korea?'" He continued, "As former leader Hong said, if the conservative right unites, can it take power and create a better Korea? 'The centrists are just people who join the powerful,' and 'Let's counter their divide-and-conquer tactics with our own divide-and-conquer' are wrong both in terms of values and strategy."

Governor Won said, "I also disagree with Chairman Kim's theory that we should not even use the word 'conservative.' But why did our party bring Chairman Kim in? Did we not know his background and character?" He added, "We recruited him because we kept losing due to our own faults, and the current Kim Jongin Emergency Response Committee is erasing the shadow of defeat. We need to give it more time."

He continued, "The Kim Jongin Emergency Response Committee only needs to erase the shadows of the past. That alone is enough for it to fulfill its role," and added, "Drawing a new picture is the task of former leader Hong Joonpyo and Won Heeryong."