"The Party Should Use This Crisis as an Opportunity to Rebound"
"The Problem Lies in Candidate Competence... It Won't Be Solved by Restructuring the Campaign Committee"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, recently urged caution regarding the internal strife within the party, warning that "if it leads to a catastrophe, it will result in mutual destruction." However, he also predicted that if candidate Yoon shows firm leadership, this crisis could be turned into an opportunity for a comeback.
On the 6th, during a broadcast on his YouTube channel 'TV Hong Cola,' Representative Hong said, "I saw a shocking poll that Yoon Seok-yeol would lose if he faced Lee Jae-myung," and pointed out, "There were shortcomings in the party's internal divisions and the candidates' capabilities."
Hong diagnosed the reason for the decline in Yoon's approval ratings as "the candidate's political competence issue."
He claimed, "The candidate's own capabilities and the corruption involving his in-laws are the most fundamental problems. The discord with Representative Lee is also a matter of the candidate's political competence, and it is something the candidate must overcome. This is not an issue that can be resolved simply by reorganizing the campaign headquarters."
He continued, "Candidate Yoon rose to prominence on fairness, justice, and conviction, but as attacks regarding his in-laws' corruption emerged, the public began to think that justice and common sense had collapsed, leading to a drop in approval ratings," adding, "Yoon must demonstrate his qualifications and show a firm resolve by saying, 'I will punish without mercy, and I will not even forgive my wife' regarding the in-laws' corruption."
He also said, "He should naturally engage in Q&A sessions at various gatherings and be able to answer any questions on the spot," and criticized, "The people, tired of President Moon Jae-in, have no intention of creating another 'A4 paper president'."
Furthermore, he emphasized, "Representative Lee should also exercise restraint, and Candidate Yoon should stop attacking Representative Lee. If it leads to a catastrophe, it will be mutual destruction," and reiterated, "The party must take this crisis as an opportunity to rebound."
Regarding Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, he evaluated, "If he becomes president, he is someone who could even sell his soul," and said, "He is undergoing infinite transformations. It is wrong to judge that Candidate Lee is just wavering on policies. He can say or propose any policy to become president."
After an intense standoff, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, shook hands at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the evening of the 6th. / Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, Yoon and Lee, who had been in conflict over various issues such as the so-called 'Yoon Core Group' (key figures close to candidate Yoon) and the appointment of the election campaign committee, achieved a dramatic reconciliation on this day.
At the members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, starting at 10 a.m., a resolution urging Lee's resignation was put on the agenda, sparking controversy among the members. Lee initially withheld attendance, citing that his public remarks were not allowed, but appeared at the meeting around 5:20 p.m. on the condition that his opening remarks be made public.
On this day, Lee bowed his head and said, "I thought that if I stepped down from the campaign committee position and talked about reorganization from outside, a new direction would be set, and I could support (candidate Yoon). If my expectation was wrong, I apologize to the members here today."
He added, "If the members unite and order Lee Jun-seok's return, I will return to any position designated. I ask each member here to remember that if we lose the election, the party will be dissolved."
Later, around 8 p.m., candidate Yoon arrived at the National Assembly. Yoon and Lee embraced each other, showing signs of resolving their conflict.
After the meeting, Yoon told reporters, "We are members of the same party," and emphasized, "We are people who have decided to dedicate ourselves to the People Power Party and work together. We will carry out the orders with the same mindset and work hard."
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