Yoon: "Hong has no people around him"... Hong: "Yoon resorts to personal attacks, must be frustrated"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, criticized the lack of people around his competitor, Representative Hong Joon-pyo, on the 27th, raising the issue of 'leadership.' Representative Hong mocked Yoon, saying he must be 'frustrated,' accusing him of resorting to personal attacks.

During the People Power Party presidential primary debate held in Gangwon Province that day, Yoon said, "I believe the most important quality of a president is leadership," and pointed out, "Despite Representative Hong’s brilliant career, I often hear that people who worked closely with him have left."

Yoon continued, "I was accused of lining up people for nomination as a political novice, but even if we assume that judgment, many people are coming to my camp, whereas relatively few are around Representative Hong." He added, "When Representative Hong was reinstated to the party, many lawmakers opposed it," and countered, "Hong calls all of them traitors, but why are there so many traitors?"

In response, Representative Hong said, "In my 26 years in politics, I have never been a 'faction’s lackey,'" and added, "I have been betrayed twice in politics, both times by people I raised. I have never betrayed anyone." He also mentioned that some of those who betrayed him have crossed over to Yoon’s side.

He went on to say, "Those who are with Yoon’s camp are typical old-guard vested-interest politicians," and remarked, "Someone who says they want to do new politics is doing what old politicians used to do." He also jabbed, "He even resorts to personal attacks; he must be frustrated."