Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who has been openly criticizing his party day after day, responded to the party's criticism of him by saying, "It is disgraceful to extend one's political life by clinging to whoever is in power, like a certain member of the National Assembly from Busan." In response, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party presumed to be the 'certain member from Busan,' fired back, saying, "Criticize me by name."
On the 12th, Ha posted on his social media, "Mayor Hong, it takes courage to admit when you are wrong," adding, "I have never seen that courage in you."
This came after Mayor Hong anonymously targeted the 'certain member from Busan' in a criticism of the party's 'clique politics' on social media earlier that morning. Although Hong did not reveal who the 'certain member' was, some analysts suggested it was directed at Ha, as Ha recently commented on a radio show that Hong's meeting with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and his criticism of the party and the presidential office showed "a significant lack of discernment."
However, Hong's side stated that the remarks were "not aimed at Ha."
Ha responded, "If you have done something to deserve criticism from a junior, accepting and enduring it is also courage. And now I see you don't even have the courage to criticize by name. If you have something to say, say it openly by name. I don't fight as cowardly as you do, Mayor Hong."
He continued, "Mayor Hong has never apologized for the 'Jo Guk Su Hong' incident during the last presidential election when he defended Cho Kuk. Now, on top of that, are you even defending Jae-myung? Was it really right to insult your own party's president in front of the opposition leader who sees the Yoon Seok-youl government as the enemy?"
The term 'Jo Guk Su Hong' combines the progressive supporters' slogan 'Jo Guk Suho' (Protect Cho Kuk) with Mayor Hong's surname. During the 2021 People Power Party presidential primary, Hong criticized the 'Yoon Seok-youl prosecution' by saying, "There should be no investigation that massacres the entire family," which earned him the nickname 'Jo Guk Su Hong.'
Earlier, on social media, Mayor Hong said, "I still cannot forget those wicked people who betrayed the party like rats on a sinking ship after the impeachment and poured curses on our party," adding, "If you are a party official, work for the party. If you act for the sake of individual party power holders, the moment that power holder falls, you will fall with them."
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