Hong Jun-pyo Directly Criticizes Han Dong-hoon: "Isn't This Sociopathy?"

Handonghun Apologizes for Requesting 'Na Kyungwon Prosecution Cancellation'
"I Was Not Careful Enough"

Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, criticized Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, by saying, "Isn't he a sociopath?"

On the 18th, Mayor Hong wrote on his Facebook, "He put forward bizarre legal logic and apologized just a day later." This appears to be a remark targeting Han, who publicly apologized after exposing his rival Na Kyung-won's request to cancel the prosecution in the 'Fast-Track case.'

Mayor Hong continued, "He demanded a 35-year prison sentence for former President Park Geun-hye and then apologized, followed President Yoon Seok-youl for 20 years but suddenly turned his back and betrayed him, mobilized comment squads to manipulate public opinion like Druking," attacking various controversies related to Han.

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

Earlier, in a broadcast debate the previous day, Han asked Na, "You asked me to cancel the prosecution in your Fast-Track case, didn't you?"

During the 2019 National Assembly 'Fast-Track clash incident,' Na, who was the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), was prosecuted and on trial for charges including obstruction of official duties. Han, while serving as Minister of Justice, claimed that Na had requested him to cancel the prosecution in this case.

Handonghun, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is delivering his policy speech at the 4th Party Convention and the joint speech meeting for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon held on the afternoon of the 17th at Goyang Sono Arena in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Na said, "It was a request to restore constitutional order, not for personal benefit."

However, as the controversy spread within the party, Han apologized on Facebook, saying, "I sincerely apologize for my lack of prudence." He further explained, "Yesterday's 'request to cancel prosecution refusal statement' was an unprepared example that came up during the process of repeatedly explaining that, no matter how much the Minister of Justice is, he cannot intervene in individual cases, in response to repeated questions about why the Minister of Justice could not arrest Representative Lee Jae-myung." He added, "I want to clarify that I did not intend to belittle those suffering from the Fast-Track clash incident."