Hong Young-pyo: "Second and third presidential candidates may emerge... Yoo Si-min will not run"

On the morning of the 15th of last month, Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning during the National Assembly National Defense Committee's audit of the Air Force Headquarters held at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Amid the two-way race between Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, as the next presidential candidates, Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Second, third, and fourth candidates may emerge and compete again." However, regarding Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, he said, "I do not feel the need to persuade someone who has a firm intention not to engage in politics."

On the 24th, Hong said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "If there are people who clearly have a blueprint of 'how I will lead this country as president,' I think it is not bad for them to participate in the competition and enrich the presidential election scene."

When asked by the host whether he would want to bring in Yoo, who has a broad support base, into the ruling party, Hong replied, "I do not feel the need," adding, "As far as I know, he currently has a firm opinion not to engage in politics. I judge that it is not a situation to persuade him."

He continued, "Looking at past presidential elections, there have been many new figures who appeared with new visions and forces," and said, "That does not happen just because one or two people create such a situation; if certain occasions or circumstances arise, it can certainly happen."

Meanwhile, regarding whether Kim Kyung-soo, governor of South Gyeongsang Province, who is accused of 'comment manipulation,' would run for president if acquitted, Hong said, "The media and those around him have mentioned him as a presidential candidate, but I believe he is currently dedicating everything as governor of South Gyeongsang Province," and predicted that he would not enter the presidential race.