Hong Junpyo Responds to 'Han Donghoon Height-Increasing Shoes' Controversy: "Just Advice to a Complete Junior"

"Getting Worked Up Shows It's a B-Grade Camp"

Hong Junpyo, a presidential primary candidate for the People Power Party, commented on his personal attack-style question to fellow party candidate Han Donghoon, such as asking, "Why do you wear height-increasing shoes?" He explained, "I wanted to tell him that to do politics properly, one needs to have depth."

On the 20th, at the ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Hong Junpyo, candidate of Group B in the first round of group debates for the 21st presidential candidate of the People Power Party, adjusts his glasses. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On April 21, during Channel A's radio show 'Political Signal,' Hong said, "I have been in politics for a long time, but Han is just starting out in politics." He added, "That is why I meant to tell him not to engage in image politics, such as wearing height-increasing shoes, using partial wigs, or wearing underwear tailored to one's body shape."

The previous day, during the People Power Party's Group B primary debate, Hong addressed Han, saying, "Before coming here today, people on 'Youth's Dream' asked me to make sure to ask you a few questions. You are already tall, so why do you wear height-increasing shoes?" In response, Han said, "I don't think the person who asked that is a young person, judging by the nature of the question," and brushed it off. Hong then said, "The next questions would be whether your hair is naturally straight or if you are wearing shapewear, but those are too childish, so I won't ask." Han replied, "It is childish."

Regarding this exchange, Hong said, "Han is a complete junior in politics," and added, "I wanted to tell him that if you start out in politics by focusing on image politics, you won't last long. There are a few people who take this the wrong way and interpret it sarcastically."

In response to criticism from Han's camp, who called Hong's remarks 'B-grade,' Hong countered, "They made that comment indirectly, but seeing them get so worked up over something they could have just laughed off, it seems their camp is the real B-grade camp."

Regarding the discussion of Han Ducksoo, Acting President and Prime Minister, potentially running for president, Hong criticized, "Han is the Prime Minister of an impeached administration, so is he really saying he will run for office?" He added, "Some of our party's lawmakers are unbelievably immature. I can't believe how lacking in sense they are," and emphasized, "Han's potential candidacy is extremely unreasonable."