Hong Jun-pyo Criticizes "Referee Making Rules and Playing as a Player"
Kim Jae-won Rebuts "Primary Rules Decided Through Supreme Council Discussion"
On the 16th, Hong Jun-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, appeared on the 'Reporter Joo Goes' segment of the Coupang Play original 'SNL Korea.' / Screenshot from Coupang Play YouTube
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party who declared his candidacy for Daegu mayor in the June 1 local elections, directly criticized his intra-party rival, former Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, saying, "Politics should not be conducted so meanly." Earlier, Hong had opposed Kim, accusing him of leading the establishment of a 'penalty rule' unfavorable to himself during discussions on the People Power Party's nomination regulations.
On the 16th, Hong appeared on the 'Chief Reporter Goes' segment of the Coupang Play original 'SNL Korea,' stating, "I've been in this party for 27 years, and I haven't done anything wrong, yet they say they will give me penalty points. It's outrageous."
Hong targeted Kim, saying, "If the referee is involved in making the rules and then plays as a player again, who would accept the outcome of that game? That's what it looks like. Politics should not be done meanly."
When the host asked him to leave a video message for former Supreme Council member Kim, Hong said, "I don't even want to mention that person. I really don't want to mention him," shaking his head. He continued, "How can someone do that? In politics, you shouldn't do that just to benefit yourself," adding, "Politics should be about showing your strengths to the people and being chosen, not about baseless slander. It's unforgivable. They will be punished."
Earlier, the People Power Party's Supreme Council decided to impose a penalty of 10% for incumbent lawmakers and 15% for those who have run as independents within the last five years during the local election nomination screening. Hong, who left the People Power Party and ran as an independent in the 2020 general election and won, falls under both categories and would receive a total deduction of 25%.
Hong publicly opposed this, particularly criticizing Kim, who also declared his candidacy for Daegu mayor, for participating in the decision on the penalty rule, calling it unfair. Subsequently, the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee eased the penalty to a 5% deduction for incumbents and 10% for independent candidacies, with no overlapping deductions.
Meanwhile, former Supreme Council member Kim responded to Hong's criticism by stating that the nomination regulations were decided after discussion at the Supreme Council meeting. In an interview with News1 on the 18th, Kim expressed displeasure, saying, "The primary election rules were discussed and voted on during the Supreme Council meeting, so it is inappropriate to speak so harshly."
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