[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, predicted that "it will be difficult to hold a Korea-Japan summit throughout this administration" regarding President Moon Jae-in's attendance at the Tokyo Olympics and the final cancellation of the Korea-Japan summit.
In an interview with Newsis on the 19th at an office in Yeouido, Seoul, Rep. Hong said, "How can we ask for a Korea-Japan summit when the administration is singing the 'Jukchangga' (Song of Bamboo Spears) at the government level?"
He added, "Even if Japan holds a summit, what would they have to give to a president who is about to step down?" and "The administration has been singing the 'Jukchangga' all along, so now that it's almost time to step down, even if they ask for a Korea-Japan summit, would Japan agree?"
Regarding President Moon, he said, "Having experienced President Moon directly, I said he is an honest person. However, his governing ability is close to failing," and criticized, "His ability to manage the country, including domestic affairs, diplomacy, and defense, is failing."
On the recent qualification verification of presidential candidates such as former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, Rep. Hong said, "It is a process in which the public verifies through the media whether they have morality, family issues, and policy execution ability to perform as president," and added, "How can we hold a presidential election without such verification?"
Regarding the verification about himself, he said, "I have nothing to hide," and "I have been public for 38 years, so there is absolutely nothing to hide," adding, "During the last impeachment presidential election, I was falsely accused due to Druking and his organization. Even now, I think there is hardly anything that would fail verification."
On the strategy to expand the centrist base, Rep. Hong emphasized, "Anyway, our supporters will all come if we win the primary," and "The important thing is to reduce the unfavorable views among the opposition and centrist groups."
He continued, "That's why I have debated with Jin Joong-kwon and appeared on Kim Eo-jun and Joo Jin-woo's radio shows," and said, "In the conservative right-wing camp, who else besides me can face off in a one-on-one debate with Jin Joong-kwon and Yoo Si-min?"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
