Hong Jun-pyo: "If I become president, the 'yangachi' Lee Jae-myung will definitely be arrested"

"Our Party Courted Honam for Over 30 Years... Yoon Seok-yeol Topples It All at Once"

Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Hong Joon-pyo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, said, "If I become president, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, will definitely be arrested," adding, "This is not political retaliation."

On the 27th, in an interview with News1, Candidate Hong stated, "Even after becoming president, I will thoroughly investigate the Daejang-dong development special favor allegations and punish all involved, regardless of party affiliation, including the main culprits."

He added, "It will be difficult for the people to elect such a person (Lee Jae-myung) as president." In particular, Hong was reported to have used expressions like 'zero character' and 'gangster' to describe Governor Lee.

Regarding Lee maintaining high approval ratings in various polls, he claimed, "This is due to the divisive policies that have led the Moon Jae-in administration into dysfunction," and argued, "The factional logic of 'even if a thief, if they are on our side, we vote for them' is at work."

Candidate Hong also commented on his intra-party primary rival, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. He said about Yoon, "It is difficult to become president with just that image (hatred toward the Moon Jae-in administration)," and evaluated, "He is maintaining support solely on that basis, but there is no expansion at all."

Regarding recent controversies over Yoon's remarks such as 'defending Jeon Du-hwan' and the 'dog apple' incident, Hong said, "Our party has courted Honam for over 30 years, but that was completely destroyed, so how big of a violation is that?" and sharply criticized, "If I were the party leader, I would expel him."

He continued, "Due to the 'dog apple' incident, the elders in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) have shifted to a mood of 'Yoon Seok-youl cannot win,'" and said, "The reversal of TK approval ratings is because of the 'dog apple' incident."

Regarding the earlier offensive by Yoon's camp, which revealed Hong's past 'list of offensive remarks,' Hong pointed out, "I have made a few offensive remarks over 26 years, but Yoon has made 26 outrageous remarks in three months," and questioned, "Is it right for him to attack me for offensive remarks while doing that?"