Hong Jun-pyo Targets Lee Jae-myung: "A Ruthless Candidate from a Murderous Family Should Not Be President"

People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, referred to Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, as a "brutal candidate from a family of murderers."

On the 26th, a question titled "Brother Jun-pyo, who should I vote for? Please tell me the answer" was posted on the 'Cheongmun Hongdap' board of the youth platform 'Youth's Dream' established by Representative Hong. The writer began by saying, "I cannot stand to see an arrogant party that puts forward improper candidates for their own selfish interests rather than candidates desired by the people win."

The writer asked, "Is my feeling wrong?" and stated, "I pledged for a regime change, but if candidate Yoon becomes president, even more might be possible," and "Although President Moon Jae-in was incompetent, at least he was not corrupt." Then, the writer asked Representative Hong, "Is it candidate Yoon Seok-yeol of the People Power Party or candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party?"

Questions posted on the youth platform 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' and answers from Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party.
[Photo by Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum youth platform capture]

In response, candidate Hong said, "No matter what, a brutal candidate from a family of murderers should not become president." This is interpreted as meaning that candidate Lee, whose nephew murdered two women in the past, should not become president.

Earlier, on the 24th, candidate Lee posted on his Facebook, "I have a painful past," and explained, "One of my family members committed a serious crime of dating violence in the past, but since the family could not afford to hire a lawyer, I, the only lawyer in the family, had no choice but to take on the defense."

The serious crime of dating violence mentioned by candidate Lee refers to an incident that occurred in May 2006 in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. At that time, Lee’s nephew, Kim, visited the house where his ex-girlfriend A lived and stabbed A and her mother multiple times with a weapon, killing them. Additionally, A’s father jumped from the 5th floor of an apartment and suffered serious injuries.

Through his Facebook post, candidate Lee said, "Since I was already a politician, I hesitated a lot, but avoidance was not easy," and added, "I offer my deep condolences and apologies to the victims and their bereaved families of that incident." He also wrote, "Dating violence is a serious crime that brings unhappiness to everyone and destroys lives," "This incident is a painful memory that I can never erase," and "No words can heal the wounds of the victims and their families."