Yoo Seung-min: "Hong Joon-pyo, Do You Miss the Liberty Korea Party Days... Apologize for Jo Guk-su Hong"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, strongly opposed Hong Joon-pyo’s remark referring to “primary candidates who split the party and left during the impeachment.” Yoo criticized Hong while mentioning reform conservatism, which has become the ideological orientation of the People Power Party.

On the 18th, Yoo stated on social media, "Candidate Hong Joon-pyo criticized me by saying ‘primary candidates who split the party and left during the impeachment,’" adding, "He must really miss the days of the Liberty Korea Party."

He said, "Let me make this clear," and pointed out, "Wasn't the People Power Party created to reflect on the mistakes of conservatism during the Liberty Korea Party and Saenuri Party eras and to pursue a new and healthy centrist conservative politics? Do you deny that the power of reform conservatism has brought new hope to conservatism?" He then jabbed, "Lee Jun-seok, Mayor Oh Se-hoon, all come from reform conservatism, so why did you bow your head in front of them?"

Yoo also criticized, "Are you ‘Jo Guk Su Hong’ and then, realizing your mistake, getting slapped in Jongno and venting your anger at the Han River? Do you think that will win back the hearts of the 20s and 30s? Is this the right way? Have you forgotten your own mistakes during your time as the leader of the Liberty Korea Party?"

Earlier, Hong posted on social media, "The primary candidates who split the party and left during the impeachment always behave in ways reminiscent of Lee Jung-hee during the December 2012 presidential election," adding, "Let’s do this the right way." Hong was targeting former lawmakers Yoo Seung-min, Ha Tae-kyung, and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong. They had raised issues during the first TV debate regarding Hong’s comment that the investigation into former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk was an ‘excessive investigation.’