Hong Targets Yoon: "Gathering Washed-Up Politicians to Play Boss in the Alley Won't Last Long"

"No Party Will Against Public Sentiment"

Yoon Seok-yeol, People Power Party presidential primary candidate (left), Hong Joon-pyo, People Power Party presidential primary candidate (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Hong Joon-pyo, a presidential pre-candidate from the People Power Party, criticized fellow party candidate Yoon Seok-youl, saying, "There are only a few days left for those who pick up washed-up politicians and act as the neighborhood boss."

On the morning of the 28th, Hong posted on his Facebook, stating, "There is no party sentiment that goes against public opinion," expressing this view.

Earlier, on the 27th, during a joint TV debate in the Gangwon region, candidates Yoon and Hong sharpened their arguments by emphasizing 'party sentiment' and 'public sentiment,' respectively. Yoon asked, "I am a political novice, yet many people come to help me. But why are there relatively fewer fellow lawmakers in Hong's camp? Why are there many traitors turning their backs on the candidate?" In response, Hong said, "Those who are in Yoon's camp are typical old-guard vested-interest politicians," adding, "In my 26 years of political life, I have never been a factional henchman."

Hong continued, "There are only a few days left now," emphasizing, "That is not because of outstanding leadership but simply because ronin with nowhere to go have found a temporary shelter. Ultimately, public sentiment is the will of the people."

Hong also mocked, "Former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in called them a swarm of flies," adding, "Swarms of flies only gather where there is rot."

He further stated, "It was the same during the Lee Jun-seok party leader election. Party members and the public are not fools," and said, "Anyone who still believes that gathering factional old-guard politicians can win is a fool."

Meanwhile, on the 27th, Yoon's camp recruited lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung, a former pre-primary competitor, as a co-chief campaign chairman. With this, Yoon's camp has established a primary campaign team with six co-chief campaign chairmen and about 30 incumbent lawmakers participating.