Shin Pyung: "Hong Joon-pyo, Inherently a Stubborn Sexist... Yoo Seung-min Focuses Only on Personal Attacks Against Yoon"

"Hong Jun-pyo Lacks Understanding of Feminism... Difficult to Join Ranks of Leaders"
"Yoo Seung-min Not a Strong Leader Type, Unfortunate Candidate"

People Power Party's presidential candidate Hong Joon-pyo./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Attorney Shin Pyeong, who publicly declared support for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, criticized Hong Joon-pyo, a competing candidate in the People Power Party presidential primary, as a "fundamental anti-feminist and a stubborn sexist." Regarding former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, he described him as an "unfortunate candidate."

On the 17th, Attorney Shin posted on Facebook a piece titled "Brief Evaluations of Presidential Candidates," stating, "Hong is a person with a leader-type personality and early recognition of the value of fairness, which has garnered significant support from younger generations," but added, "If he passes the primary and enters the general election against (Democratic Party’s) Lee Jae-myung, his true nature will be revealed."

Attorney Shin said, "Hong lacks an understanding of feminism as a historical trend," and added, "Although he chants the slogan 'Beyond Feminism to Humanism,' his true nature is merely anti-feminism. In this regard, as a stubborn sexist, it is difficult for him to be counted among leaders who can guide the times."

He continued, "As seen in the fact that he caused various scandals and closed the Gyeongnam Medical Center during his tenure as governor of Gyeongnam, he is a ruthless capitalist, or to put it nicely, a neoliberal believer," and pointed out, "If capitalism is absolutized, numerous socioeconomically marginalized and vulnerable groups who fail in competition inevitably emerge in any country."

He further stated, "The belief that the state should be able to wipe away the tears shed by these people has secured validity regardless of conservative or progressive views," and added, "In this respect, Hong might be a Don Quixote-like figure indulged in anachronistic illusions and prone to erratic behavior."

Yoo Seung-min (from left), Won Hee-ryong, Hong Joon-pyo, and Yoon Seok-youl, presidential pre-candidates of the People Power Party, pose before the '1-on-1 Debate' held on the evening of the 15th at the MBC building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding former lawmaker Yoo, Attorney Shin said, "The greatest spirit of the times in this presidential election is strong leadership, and in that respect, Yoo is unfortunate," and evaluated, "The directions of many economic policies he advocates are generally correct, but he is not a strong leader type."

He continued, "He made the mistake of failing to precisely target the era’s trend of 'the value of fairness.' The fundamental reason why his public opinion poll ratings remain stuck at a poor lower bound is exactly this," and added, "He might think that if former Prosecutor General Yoon is eliminated, he could compete head-to-head with Hong. Perhaps that is why he is now focusing intensely on personal attacks against Yoon."

Attorney Shin pointed out that Yoo even brings up Yoon in debates with other candidates, saying, "How about checking once now what his facial expression is like when he says such things? His expression hardens and contorts. That is not the refined scholar-like image of Yoo Seung-min that I know."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon, Attorney Shin said, "He fits the spirit of the times that desires a strong leader and also aligns best with the strong 'anti-Moon' sentiment formed through repeated divisions among the people," and evaluated, "I believe his upright character and good-natured personality will gradually add strength during the upcoming election process."

However, he noted, "So far, former Prosecutor General Yoon has not conveyed any clear message to the public beyond anti-Moon sentiment," and said, "His policy pledges regarding the realization of 'the value of fairness' are somewhat hollow. In this regard, candidate Hong, who clearly advocates for the revival of the bar exam and the abolition of early college admissions, is much better."

He also stated, "Anyone aspiring to be a leader should be a 'visionary' who presents a vision to create a new era and thus give hope and courage to the people," and warned, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon is currently unable to overcome this barrier. If he neglects to adopt a new mindset, Hong might pass the People Power Party primary without revealing the 'hypocritical packaging' he is currently wearing."