Won Hee-ryong "Hong Jun-pyo, how will you handle the carbon tax?"... Hong Jun-pyo "The question is mean-spirited"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former Jeju Governor and People Power Party presidential candidate Won Hee-ryong and lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo clashed over current issues such as the carbon tax and the high school credit system. When former Governor Won questioned policy issues, lawmaker Hong expressed dissatisfaction, calling the questions "sneaky."

At the People Power Party presidential candidate broadcast debate held in Gangwon Province on the 27th, former Governor Won and lawmaker Hong engaged in a heated exchange. Former Governor Won said, "I won't ask about hydrogen today," and then asked, "Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, says he will impose a carbon tax. How will you respond?"

In response, lawmaker Hong said, "I will have a policy debate with candidate Lee when I face him," and demanded, "Ask about former Governor Won's policies." When former Governor Won retorted, "Aren't you going to answer?" Hong replied, "What is this, some kind of quiz show?" and did not answer.

Former Governor Won then asked again, "Is there no stance on the carbon tax from someone who wants to be the president of the country?" to which lawmaker Hong countered by asking, "What is candidate Won's position?" and the two continued to argue back and forth.

Ultimately, lawmaker Hong said, "I will not answer. The question itself is sneaky," and snapped, "Is someone with that kind of intelligence debating like this?"

Earlier, former Governor Won also questioned lawmaker Hong about the high school credit system. When lawmaker Hong said, "The plan to implement the high school credit system by 2025 has no meaning to me," former Governor Won criticized, "How can you say it has meaning or not if you don't even know about it?" In response, lawmaker Hong retorted, "If the president changes next year, it won't be a problem policy," and asked, "Why should I answer questions based on the assumption that candidate Lee will become president?"