"If It's an Unavoidable Fight, Enjoy It"
Subtly Changed Appearance Compared to 2006
Attention on Actions During Final Opposition Candidate Unification for Seoul Mayor
Independent lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo is asking questions related to politics, diplomacy, unification, and security at the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "I last conducted a government interrogation in February 2006, and now I am doing it again after 15 years."
Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo stood in the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th to conduct a government interrogation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, unification, and security.
"Prime Minister, your recent remarks have become quite harsh. How do you feel about that?"
Although it was a question probing Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who is considering the next presidential bid, his voice was a tone softer compared to 2006.
Known for insisting on wearing a red tie on important occasions, Representative Hong appeared that day wearing a pastel sky-blue tie, one of the blue shades.
"Obstacles are not to be avoided but to be overcome."
One day before the government interrogation, Representative Hong wrote on his Facebook, "Obstacles are not to be avoided but to be overcome. Because there are obstacles, one can become stronger and be trained through overcoming them. Could it be thought that political opponents help one become stronger and more disciplined? If the fight inside and outside the party is unavoidable, I always enjoy that fight," he said.
He has consistently criticized by saying, "The opposition party should act like an opposition party."
The 'spicy' questions continued. During the government interrogation, Representative Hong told Prime Minister Chung, "Looking at the investigation and handling of the Cho Kuk family crime group case, former Minister Choo Mi-ae's son's desertion issue, and the reckless dismissal of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, people in the market are saying, 'Is this a country?'"
He also openly raised issues the government was reluctant to discuss, including the comprehensive real estate tax, the ban on business after 9 p.m., the USB allegedly handed over to North Korea, the Gadeokdo Airport, the Ulsan mayoral election fraud, the cover-up of Yoo Jae-soo's inspection, the concealment and fabrication of nuclear power plant decommissioning, and matters related to President Moon Jae-in's family.
"If Gyeongbokgung Palace collapses, should we blame Daewon-gun?"
He also questioned the real estate policies announced 25 times by the Moon Jae-in administration. When Representative Hong asked, "Real estate prices soared during the Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in administrations. However, the real estate market stabilized during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations," Prime Minister Chung replied, "We are currently facing difficulties due to the legacy of the past. This problem is not something we have created immediately."
Then Representative Hong countered by invoking Heungseon Daewon-gun, who rebuilt Gyeongbokgung Palace. He pointed out, "I am not blaming the previous administration, but the current administration's real estate measures are ideological."
"I didn't come out to fight with you today, Prime Minister..."
During a debate about flood relief funds for the Four Major Rivers' weirs, when Prime Minister Chung raised his voice, Representative Hong said he did not come out to fight. Although they exchanged heated words for a considerable time, when the situation became overheated, he showed a tendency to calm things down rather than respond with excitement.
In the government interrogation with Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan in February 2006, after a tense exchange, there was shouting with statements like "(I) did not play with brokers. I have never received political funds from brokers." This time, Representative Hong showed a markedly different demeanor from the past when he was called a 'fighting rooster.'
Kim Jong-in, who used to be confrontational, now called 'the great elder of the opposition'
Met Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo within a day last month
The transformation of 'Hong Griever Bird' has begun. Clues can be found in his recent actions. Through his Facebook, Representative Hong unusually praised Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, calling him 'the great elder of the opposition.' He said, "I am grateful that he helped arrange the unification with candidate Ahn Cheol-soo." Earlier, he defended Kim's remarks about North Korea's nuclear power plant as 'acts of treason.'
People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo (left) and independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo (right) visited Jogye Order Supreme Patriarch Jinje Monk (center) at Donghwasa Temple on Palgongsan Mountain in Dong-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of the 11th to pay their respects. They are together as their visit times overlapped. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Last month, Representative Hong met opposition candidates for the Seoul mayoral primary one after another. He met Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party, with whom he had clashed in the presidential election, at Donghwasa Temple on Palgongsan Mountain and talked. The very next day, he met former lawmaker Na Kyung-won at a restaurant. It is said that at this meeting, Representative Hong and former lawmaker Na cleared the air and exchanged good wishes.
Representative Hong's actions are an anticipated point regarding what results they will bring to the opposition in early March. In the current situation, there is a high possibility that Representative Hong will play a pivotal role in the final unification process among opposition candidates.
In this context, this government interrogation was a stage to show a softer version of himself. It is interpreted as a strategic move to attract the hearts of first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party.
Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won (right) and independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo are shaking hands at a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 12th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
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