Hwang Kyo-ahn, after questioning Kim's land speculation... "I will become a successful party leader"

Kim Ki-hyun and Hwang Kyo-ahn Lunch Meeting 'One Team Consensus'
Hwang "Opposition Struggle Can Coexist... The Path Remains Unchanged"

Former Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn met with People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun and reached a consensus on forming a 'one team.' Throughout the People Power Party leadership election process, Hwang had intensely questioned Kim about the 'Ulsan land speculation allegations' and even raised suspicions of 'election fraud' until the day before their meeting, making this meeting a contrasting move.

After a luncheon meeting with Kim on the 14th, Hwang emphasized that the atmosphere was "harmonious" and that they shared a commitment to forming a 'one team' for victory in the next general election. Hwang also posted on his Facebook, saying, "We exchanged opinions about the future of the party that Kim envisions, and I shared my views as well," adding, "We will do our best together to become a successful president and party leader."

However, Hwang stated that he would continue to engage in 'opposition struggles' alongside this. He said, "My path remains unchanged," but added, "Since a new party leader has been established, it is necessary for the party to normalize and rise again under the leadership of the party leader."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is meeting and conversing with former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 14th for lunch. Photo by Yonhap News

It is reported that there was no discussion of the speculation allegations against Kim during the meeting. Hwang was the first to raise the Ulsan land speculation allegations against Kim at the People Power Party leadership election on March 8. After the first TV debate for party leader candidates on the 15th of last month, Hwang continuously raised the Ulsan land speculation allegations against Kim throughout the leadership election.

Immediately after the leadership election ended, Hwang raised suspicions of election fraud, causing concerns about 'post-primary election aftereffects.' On the 9th, a video titled "Definitive Evidence of Vote Manipulation in the People Power Party Primary" was posted on Hwang's YouTube channel, 'Hwang Kyo-ahn TV.' Hwang's associates claimed the possibility of vote manipulation, citing reports that the voter turnout was set to 55%, changes in the number of voters after voting began, and the vote tallying process being conducted through opaque ARS monitoring procedures.

Hwang himself also mentioned the election fraud suspicions directly. On the 13th, the day before the meeting, he posted a message titled "Doesn't this look like manipulation?" raising suspicions about mobile voting manipulation. He said, "The Central Election Commission announces the number of voters every 5 seconds, and around 4 p.m. on the first day, the last digit of the number of voters all ended with 5. This means the number increased in exact multiples of 10 every 5 seconds." He added, "On the second day around 4 p.m., the last digits ended irregularly with 5, 3, 2, 7, 3, 1, etc. This is natural and expected."

He further explained, "To make it easier to understand, the probability of rolling a dice and getting the number 1 ten times in a row is once in 60,466,176 times," and "For numbers ranging from 0 to 9, the probability of the same number appearing consecutively is once in 10 billion times."

On the same day, Hwang also mentioned the land speculation allegations against Kim again on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live.' He said, "We are concerned, but isn't the Democratic Party investigating as well? It won't just be swept under the rug," adding, "If Kim Ki-hyun organizes the facts well and gains public understanding, he will become a successful leader. If the public does not accept it, a deep apology and reflection will be necessary."

People Power Party's Ahn Cheol-soo and Hwang Kyo-ahn, candidates for party leader, hold a joint press conference on the 7th at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, regarding the controversy over the "Presidential Office administrative officer group chat supporting Kim Ki-hyun." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Recently, Hwang has shown a dual stance by raising various allegations while also congratulating Kim on his election and holding a luncheon meeting. Previously, on the day of the leadership election, Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker and competitor, left without listening to Kim's acceptance speech, but Hwang stayed until the end.

On the 9th, the day after the leadership election, Hwang congratulated Kim on his election and issued a message of unity. On the 9th, Hwang posted on his Facebook, "Congratulations to Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun and the Supreme Council members," adding, "We must lead next year's general election to victory and support the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration." He also said, "As a party member, I will continue to do what I must," and "I will help within the People Power Party where I can and offer advice if needed."

Meanwhile, this is the third time Hwang has raised suspicions of election fraud. He previously claimed that the 2020 general election and the 2021 People Power Party presidential primary were fraudulent elections.