"Ambition for Success as Mutual Support"
Chief Judge Kim Jae-ho Targets 'Supreme Court Justice Speculation'
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, is relentlessly launching attacks against former lawmaker Na Kyung-won. Following earlier allegations of 'building speculation,' on the 18th, he indirectly referred to the 'Supreme Court Justice speculation' surrounding Na's husband, Chief Judge Kim Jae-ho.
On that day, through his social media (SNS), Mayor Hong said, "The phrase 'buchang busu (夫唱婦隨)' is a beautiful expression representing a fine Eastern tradition. However, if a couple does not follow this in a positive sense but solely out of ambition for success, that is truly problematic."
He continued, "Moreover, if a couple uses every means to secure positions for themselves, each aiming for the highest office when most people find even one position difficult to obtain, it might be understandable if it were the Clinton couple in the U.S., who are exceptional and have different ethical standards, but it would be hard to accept in Korean society."
Although he did not mention Na Kyung-won by name, considering the recent political rumors about Chief Judge Kim Jae-ho, Na's husband, being considered for the Supreme Court, it can be interpreted that he was referring to the couple. This inference is also supported by Mayor Hong's frequent attacks on Na Kyung-won.
The day before, through SNS, he directly criticized Na, saying, "It is truly pitiful to see someone still confusing private relationships from university days with national public duties and whining about it. Visiting the National Cemetery to pay respects at the graves of three people I have designated, and today coming down to Donghwasa Temple in Daegu to wander around the temple grounds without any connection?what kind of act is that?"
He added, "If you recklessly rely on a baseless public opinion poll, you might suffer a great setback. I have heard that during last year's verification process, issues of building speculation arose; whether this is true or not is unknown, but shouldn't clarifying that be the priority?"
On the same day, on SNS, he further stated, "I really dislike the hypocrisy of those born with silver spoons who commit all sorts of corruption while pretending to have dignity. I also dislike those who, without trying to become wealthy, view the world with hatred, but I dislike even more those who have wealth and pretend to be noble alone, manipulating the world with hypocrisy." Although this post did not mention Na Kyung-won by name, the timing strongly suggests it was directed at her.
On the 13th, he criticized Na Kyung-won, who had expressed her intention to resign as vice-chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, saying, "Is she trying to hold onto the climate ambassador position because it’s a good post for traveling abroad?"
Mayor Hong has previously stirred controversy by anonymously targeting fellow politicians. In 2016, during his tenure as governor of Gyeongnam Province and ahead of the Saenuri Party convention, he posted on SNS phrases such as ▲people born with silver spoons pretending to be dirt spoons in politics ▲people relying solely on a decent face engaging in image and celebrity politics without substance ▲people who receive votes from conservative parties but pose as pseudo-leftists under the guise of reform ▲people over fifty who are multi-term politicians yet act as young reformers.
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