Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on Seoul's real estate policy at the National Assembly Communication Office on March 8. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party who is about to officially declare his presidential candidacy, stated, "The leadership I aspire to is politics like Roh Moo-hyun, and economy like Park Chung-hee."
On the 14th, Ha appeared on JTBC's 'Ssuljeon Live' and said, "I believe that a 21st-century type of Park Chung-hee is needed in the 21st century," adding, "(The Park Chung-hee I refer to) is a democratic Park Chung-hee. Someone who revives the economy based on democracy."
When asked about the spirit of the times by the host, he replied, "We need to replace the era rather than just a generational change. We must shift from an era of double standards to an era of a single standard."
Ha, who said he would officially announce his presidential candidacy by Thursday at the latest, revealed, "I've had the intention for a while now," and added, "Since being a member of the National Assembly, I have thought that I should view the world from the perspective of the president and have conducted my legislative activities accordingly."
He continued, "The direct trigger for my presidential run seems to have been the Cho Kuk incident," explaining, "I am also part of the same 586 generation, but can 'power 586' really be so corrupted? On the conservative side, if a mistake is made, they admit it and apologize. But (the 586) insist they are not wrong until the end. Politics became strange."
He added, "It seems that power 586 thinks of themselves as an absolute good without error," and argued, "Do we think our side is an entrenched evil that must be eliminated unconditionally? We must prevent such politics from dominating and running rampant."
According to a survey conducted by PNR Research commissioned by Money Today and the Future Korea Institute on the 12th, targeting 1,009 adults nationwide in one day, Ha ranked fifth with 2.6%. This is the first time Ha has been included in a poll of opposition presidential candidates. Regarding this, Ha said, "It's at a minimal level, so I don't think it is meaningful," but added, "It seems like they have at least topped up my bus card in the presidential race."
He also expressed confidence, saying, "As long as I am here, the presidential race will become much bigger."
Regarding the return of independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo to the party, he said, "Since we are competitors in the presidential race, it may not be appropriate to comment," but criticized, "If senior Hong Joon-pyo does not undergo a complete transformation, I think he is a model of outdated politics."
When asked if Hong seemed to have undergone such a transformation, he replied, "It doesn't seem so. He needs to try harder," and stated his ambition, "I am willing to compete fully if he joins the party. I will put an end to outdated politics."
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