Hong Jun-pyo says "Ahn Cheol-soo is normal," Ahn responds "What the eye sees is all it sees..."

Hong: "Low approval ratings are because Ahn Cheol-soo is like wet firewood"
Ahn: "Wet firewood catches fire quickly... If we try, public opinion will move"

Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, is being interviewed by Yonhap News at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 2nd of last month.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, responded to People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo’s comment that "Ahn Cheol-soo is normal" by saying, "Then Mr. Hong must be normal as well."

On the morning of the same day, Ahn appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' and was asked by the host, "Did you see the comment by lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo on a post saying both candidates Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl are problematic?" He replied, "Other candidates and their families are full of suspicions, but since I have no flaws, I think that’s why he said that."

He added, "I’m not sure if it’s an appropriate analogy, but there is also a saying, 'What the eye sees is what it sees.'"

When the host said, "But Hong also said that your low approval rating is because 'Ahn Cheol-soo is like wet firewood,'" he responded, "Wet firewood doesn’t catch fire quickly, right? If I interpret it positively, I took it to mean that if I make efforts, public sentiment can gradually move."

Regarding criticism that this is the most unpopular presidential election in history, he assessed, "South Korea’s survival strategy is an important topic, but right now it’s just about holding onto the past."

When the host suggested that he doesn’t seem to be gaining much from the backlash effect, he said, "I will sincerely try to explain my vision and policies."

Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the JP Hope Camp closing ceremony held on the morning of the 8th of last month at the BNB Tower in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 16th, lawmaker Hong left a comment on the website 'Youth’s Dream' in response to a netizen’s post saying, "(Both presidential candidates) are at a serious level, so the public is confused," stating, "Ahn Cheol-soo is normal."

In another post asking what he thought of Ahn, he continued his positive evaluation by replying "The good," meaning "a good person."