"What's Hydrogen Made Of?" Question... Hong Jun-pyo Sweats, "Isn't It H2O?"

"The President Only Needs a Firm Governance Philosophy, Not to Know Every Fine Detail"

People Power Party presidential candidate Hong Joon-pyo is greeting before the 4th TV debate at Busan MBC on the afternoon of the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Hong Joon-pyo, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, appeared flustered by a sudden hydrogen-related question from former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong.

At the People Power Party presidential primary debate for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam held on the 18th, former Governor Won asked Hong, "You mentioned the hydrogen economy as something that can be resolved within five years. What is hydrogen made from?"

When Hong replied, "I meant to establish only the hydrogen economy system," Won pressed further, "You have to produce hydrogen for the hydrogen economy system to work. What is hydrogen made from?" When Hong answered, "Isn't hydrogen H2O or something like that?" Won countered, "H2O is water. Are you going to make it from water?" Under Won's persistent questioning, Hong was unable to provide a proper answer and ended his speaking time.

On the same day, Hong named former Governor Won as the candidate who performed best in the debate, saying, "I think Candidate Won did the best. I was really put on the spot."

Meanwhile, after the debate, Hong expressed his discomfort in a post on his Facebook page. He stated, "Honestly, I did not know how hydrogen is produced. But if the president decides to build a hydrogen economy era as a clean energy source in the carbon-neutral age and instructs the cabinet, isn't that enough? I question whether the president needs to know every detailed aspect of how hydrogen is made."

He added, "From the next debate, I will be careful of Candidate Won, who always puts me on the spot with fine details during discussions. A president only needs to have a firm governance philosophy in each field; if a president has to know every fine detail, such a president probably does not exist on Earth."