Opposition Contenders Clash Over Emergency Committee Debate

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, is attending and speaking at the discussion forum on "Problems and Countermeasures of Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge" held on the 26th at How's Cooperative House in Dongwoo International Building, Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong commented on former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo, who has been criticizing the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee (ERC) daily, saying, "Now is the time to unite around the ERC, not to shake it."

On the 1st, Governor Won said on Facebook, "Former leader Hong said that if the ERC continues as it is, Chairman Kim Jong-in should step down. I do not agree," expressing his opinion.

He added, "I also disagree with Chairman Kim's principle of 'not even using the word conservative,' but our party brought in Chairman Kim because we kept losing due to our mistakes. The Kim Jong-in ERC is currently erasing the shadow of defeat. We need to give it more time," he said.

Governor Won stated, "The Kim Jong-in ERC only needs to erase the shadows of the past. That alone is enough for it to fulfill its role," and added, "We should not expect more than that. Drawing a new picture is the job of former leader Hong Joon-pyo and myself."

Regarding Hong's claim of the 'legitimate heir theory,' he said, "If we consider the legitimacy since the civilian government that broke away from authoritarianism, former leader Hong is indeed the legitimate heir of the Korean conservative camp. Hong should return to the party," but he also pointed out, "However, we are not in a position to engage in debates over legitimacy right now."

He emphasized, "Was Angela Merkel the legitimate heir of German conservatism, or was Donald Trump the legitimate heir of American conservatism? None of that matters. What the people and party members are asking us is simple: 'Can we change the regime first?' In other words, can we win?"

He also opposed the suggestion to accept the 'anti-impeachment faction,' including the Taegeukgi forces. Governor Won said, "As former leader Hong said, if the conservative right unites, can we take power? Can we build a better Korea?" He criticized, "'Centrists are just people who side with the powerful,' and 'Let's counter their divide-and-conquer tactics with our own' are wrong both in terms of values and strategy."