Hong Jun-pyo Targets Lee Jae-myung: "A Defendant Treating the Sitting President as a Criminal"

Hong Jun-pyo Targets Lee Jae-myung: "Take It Step by Step"

Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, targeted Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "Isn't it nonsense for someone currently identified as a suspect and undergoing several trials to treat the sitting president as a criminal?"

On the 3rd, Mayor Hong said on his Facebook, "The people gave their votes to the opposition party to cooperate and stabilize the country, but if you push like this already, how anxious would the people be?"

He added, "There is an appropriate saying for this situation: jeokbanhajang (賊反荷杖, the guilty party accuses the victim)," and questioned, "Is it only a few days since the summit meeting?" He continued, "Take it step by step. There are still three years left."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Hong's remarks appear to be in response to Lee's statement that "since he is not a criminal, he will not refuse a special prosecutor" directed at President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Earlier, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee said regarding the ruling party's hint at President's re-request veto power on the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act,' "I believe President Yoon Suk-yeol and the ruling party will not exercise the veto power."

He pointed out, "'Those who refuse a special prosecutor are the criminals.' Hasn't this been continuously repeated by the presidential candidates and the ruling party for years since the last presidential primary?" He added, "I think there must be tens of thousands of banners posted."

Lee also emphasized, "Politics should not become a war. It is not necessary to kill the opponent to win," and said, "We must revive politics that respects and coexists, approaching the people's will through dialogue and compromise."