Hong Junpyo Says "Lee Junseok, Who Urged Me to Wrap Up Quickly, Is Most Important for Conservative Big Tent"

On Han Ducksoo's Candidacy: "Not Under Consideration"
"Lee Junseok Is the Most Important for a Conservative Big Tent"

Hong Junpyo, the People Power Party presidential primary candidate, is presenting his vision at the People Power Party's "21st Presidential Candidate 1st Primary Vision Conference" held at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 18th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Hong Junpyo, a presidential primary candidate for the People Power Party, has demonstrated his close relationship with Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate. After the announcement of the top four candidates advancing to the second round of the primary, Hong stated that he spoke with Lee on the phone, and emphasized that forming an alliance with Lee is the most important factor in countering Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate.

On April 23, during an appearance on YTN Radio's "News Fighting," Hong addressed the main controversy in the People Power Party presidential primary regarding the potential candidacy of Han Ducksoo. He said, "I don't know why the media and political commentators are painting such a picture, but I am not considering him at all," thus clarifying his position.

He continued, "The registration for our party's primary candidates has concluded, and as for whether Acting President Han will run as an independent in the general election, we are not considering that and are focusing on our own plans," adding, "I know Acting President Han well. He must be overwhelmed with his current role as acting president," expressing a negative outlook on Han's potential candidacy.

On the 19th, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is greeting people in the morning in Gangnam. Reform New Party

When asked about his relationship with Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, Hong responded positively. He said, "Yesterday, after the announcement of the top four candidates advancing to the second round, Lee called me and we spoke. He told me to wrap up the primary quickly," adding, "If we are to build a (conservative) big tent, I think the most important person is Representative Lee Junseok. Since he is already running as a candidate, there is not much more to say."

Meanwhile, on the previous day (April 22), the People Power Party announced the results of the first primary (cut-off), narrowing the field to four candidates. Kim Moonsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Junpyo, who have formed a "top three" structure in opinion polls, advanced smoothly to the second round, while among Na Kyungwon and Ahn Cheolsoo, who were competing for the remaining spot, Ahn secured a place in the top four.

The second round of the primary will be held on April 27-28, using a system in which 50% of the result is determined by party member votes and 50% by a public opinion poll, with the results to be announced on April 29. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two candidates will face another round of party member voting and a public opinion poll on May 1-2, with the final candidate to be confirmed at the party convention on May 3.