Independent lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo (above) and People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung (below). [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo and People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung engaged in a heated exchange over Hong's potential return to the party. When Hong criticized those opposing his return by saying, "Do those who advocated for the party's dissolution from outside the party have any grounds to reject me, who has protected the party for 26 years?" Ha responded, "Stop obstructing regime change and step down cleanly."
On the 15th, Hong stated on his Facebook, "The forces opposing my return were the very people who fiercely opposed the opposition's victory during the impeachment presidential election and the disguised peace local elections." This was interpreted as targeting the so-called 'defectors' from the former Bareunmirae Party, including Ha, who oppose his return.
He then questioned, "Do those who betrayed the party and advocated for its dissolution from outside for three years have any grounds to reject me?" and criticized the situation as a "shameless return-to-party controversy that makes one forget basic political common sense."
On the 15th, Hong Jun-pyo, an independent lawmaker, posted a critical message on his Facebook against those opposing his return to the People Power Party. [Photo by Facebook capture]
He continued, "What kind of grudge is it to lump together me, who ran in the impeachment presidential election that was bound to lose and led the local elections, with those who caused the last general election?one that was sure to win?to lose due to disastrous candidate nominations?" expressing discomfort over some within the party who are wary of both former Future United Party (the predecessor of People Power Party) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn and himself.
In response, Ha shared an article related to Hong on his Facebook the same day, directly stating, "Hong Joon-pyo, who stirs up anachronistic impeachment internal strife, should stop obstructing regime change and step down."
Ha emphasized, "The People Power Party is a house of revival created for the divided conservatives to cross the river of impeachment and open a new future," adding, "It is not the Liberty Korea Party, which Hong damaged with his parade of reckless remarks." He also added, "Party members and supporters have crossed the river of impeachment, which is why they even support Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl."
He further criticized, "Hong alone seems unaware that times have changed, waving the Korean Party flag again and turning back the clock solely for his political gain," and said, "That is precisely why there are concerns about Hong's return to the party."
On the 15th, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, expressed his opposition to the return of Hong Joon-pyo, an independent lawmaker, to the People Power Party through his Facebook. [Photo by Facebook]
He stated, "Many people unanimously worry that the painful wounds of conservatism, which have barely entered the path of healing through collective efforts, will be revived and lead to mutual destruction," and reiterated, "Do not sprinkle chili powder on the long-awaited party reform and regime change opportunity, and step down cleanly."
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