Hong Jun-pyo "1 Year 2 Months of Hardship and Homelessness"
Kim Woong "Vivid Experience of Party Image Collapse", Kim Geun-sik "Not Helpful for Next Year's Presidential Election"
Experts "Reinstatement Likely Decided by Who Becomes New Leadership"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The People Power Party is experiencing internal strife over the issue of independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo's reinstatement. Hong has been urging the party daily to accept his return, but opinions within the party are divided, making it difficult to reach a conclusion.
Most candidates running for party leader have expressed that they will not block Hong's reinstatement. However, some first- and second-term lawmakers who desire party reform have voiced opposition, arguing that Hong's return would not help secure victory in next year's presidential election. Experts have stated that whether Hong is reinstated may depend on who becomes the new leadership.
Recently, Hong has been posting on his Facebook page daily, asserting the validity of his reinstatement. He said, "65% of the People Power Party's support base backs my reinstatement, and except for one among the roughly ten candidates running for party leadership, all support my return," adding, "Blocking the freedom to join a political party due to a small minority's opposition is not democratic."
He continued, "I hope Acting Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun will promptly convene a party meeting and resolve this matter magnanimously," adding, "Although you said it is not urgent, I was unfairly expelled and endured hardship for one year and two months."
Previously, Hong left the Future United Party (now People Power Party) after failing to receive its nomination in the April 15 general election last year and ran as an independent in Daegu Suseong District, winning the seat. Since then, he has remained independent for about one year and two months.
The reason Hong had not submitted a reinstatement application until now appears related to former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in. Regarding his recent decision to express his intention to return, Hong said, "I did not submit a reinstatement application because someone with whom I had a personal grudge was leading the party." This seems to be aimed at former Chairman Kim, with whom he had conflicts over reinstatement issues.
However, voices opposing Hong's reinstatement continue. First- and second-term lawmakers worry that if Hong returns, the People Power Party might revert to the 'hardline conservative' image of the former Liberty Korea Party. There were also opinions that securing centrist support is essential for regime change next year, and Hong's return would not help in this process.
Rep. Kim Woong, running for the leadership election of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Kim Woong, a first-term People Power Party lawmaker who has thrown his hat into the ring for party leader, has been engaged in daily verbal exchanges with Hong over the reinstatement issue. Hong criticized Kim, saying, "A flower that blooms early withers early. Moreover, a flower forced to bloom out of season in a greenhouse withers immediately once outside," and "It seems a bit unreasonable for someone who has only been in politics for a year to run for party leader by relying solely on age."
In response, Kim said, "Withered petals bear fruit, but artificial flowers that never wither only gather dust. I will live like a plum blossom. Sir, please live like an artificial flower that never withers," and "Even salt gets moldy over time."
Kim also told Hong, "Your words have vividly caused our party's image to plummet," urging, "Please show juniors a more developed side."
Meanwhile, some have criticized Hong's attitude in his exchanges with first-term lawmakers as inappropriate. Park Soo-young, a first-term People Power Party lawmaker, pointed out, "The core reason many inside and outside the party are worried and uneasy about Hong's reinstatement is his attitude of causing conflict by not embracing first-term lawmakers and responding timidly and petty."
On the other hand, there were opinions that Hong's return would make it difficult to secure centrist voters. Kim Geun-sik, chairman of the Songpa District Party Committee and professor at Gyeongnam National University, wrote on Facebook, "For next year's regime change and the party's future, it is better for Hong to stay outside the party for the time being," adding, "Our party's biggest goal is winning next year's presidential election and regime change, and all internal issues must be subordinated to that goal."
He continued, "Ahead of the party convention, concerns about the 'return to Yeongnam Party' and 'return to Korea Party' controversies are rising, and Hong's reinstatement inevitably recalls the 'return to the impeachment party' image. Sorry, but it will never help next year's presidential election."
Experts analyzed that the reason first- and second-term lawmakers oppose Hong's reinstatement is related to the party's image.
Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Since former Chairman Kim resigned, there have been criticisms that the People Power Party is reverting to the days of the Saenuri Party. There are even accusations of it becoming the 'return to the pro-Park party,' and recent polls show the party's support declining," adding, "In this context, first- and second-term lawmakers believe that expanding the party's base is necessary for renewal. They worry that Hong's reinstatement would make the party's image appear outdated."
He added, "Who becomes the party's new leadership will also influence the issue of Hong's reinstatement," and "If the new leader is elected with the backing of the pro-Park faction, Hong's reinstatement is likely to happen quickly."
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