Hong and Yeo criticize both 2017 presidential front-runners Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo
Recall of Ahn's 'MB avatar' remark from 2017
Criticism in the presidential race focuses more on Ahn than Kim
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Hong Jun-pyo, Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, directed sharp criticism at both Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo, contenders for the People Power Party leadership, telling them to "get a grip," drawing attention to the background of his remarks.
With the upcoming party convention likely to be a two-horse race between Kim and Ahn, Mayor Hong stated, "Party members do not see either of them as capable of being party leader." What is Mayor Hong's true intention?
Recently, Mayor Hong has been posting daily on social media (SNS) expressing his opinions related to the party convention. Even before former lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Yoo Seung-min, who were considered likely candidates, announced they would not run, Mayor Hong had issued sharp criticisms.
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is giving a special lecture at the People Power Party Daegu City Party Member Training held at EXCO in Buk-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of September 30, 2022. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Now that the party leader candidates have narrowed down to two main contenders, Mayor Hong continues to criticize both Kim and Ahn. In a post on Facebook on the 1st, he said, "Seeing someone post an inappropriate photo that does not help the party leader election at all recently, and another person criticizing that photo with childish remarks like 'If this happened during the general election, it would have been a total disaster,' I cannot help but doubt whether these two are fit to lead the ruling party."
Kim recently posted a photo showing himself with volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung and singer Nam Jin to flaunt his connections, but it was revealed to be untrue, causing controversy. In response, Ahn said, "If something like this happened during the general election, the election would be ruined," targeting Kim. Mayor Hong responded, "The childishness of arguing over a one-time incident is really hard to tolerate. Get a grip," criticizing both.
Mayor Hong's reaction toward the leadership contenders can be understood as a concern over party division. The People Power Party experienced a collapse of its leadership last year due to internal conflicts. Regarding this, Mayor Hong referred to the past conflict between former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, saying, "If the incumbent president cannot control the party, most policies end up failing," and "This party convention should first focus on how to stabilize the still unrooted Yoon administration."
However, considering that Mayor Hong is aiming for the next presidential election, his intentions become clearer. In his criticism of both Kim and Ahn, he recalled Ahn's 2017 presidential election remark, "Am I MB (former President Lee Myung-bak)'s avatar?"
He added, "As a presidential candidate, that was a childish and inappropriate comment. Using that as a turning point, I, who came from a failed party with only 4% support, surged to second place, while candidate Ahn dropped to third," he elaborated. Although he seemed to criticize everyone, analysts say the emphasis of his criticism is directed at Ahn.
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