People Power Party Holds Second One-on-One Primary Debate
Han: "Choice for Victory" · Hong: "Difficult to Compete Against Lee Jaemyung"
On Promoting an Inter-Korean Summit
Han: "Peace Between North and South Korea Is Important... We Will Not Beg"
Hong: "Mutual Competition Between Systems Without Interference"
On April 25, Han Donghoon, former leader and presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, and Hong Joonpyo, former mayor of Daegu, both stated that if Han Ducksoo, acting president and prime minister, were to run for president, a unified candidacy would be possible. Regarding the expulsion of former president Yoon Sukyeol, they spoke with one voice, saying, "It is a decision that former president Yoon must make himself."
On the afternoon of April 25, during the second round of the People Power Party's one-on-one primary debate held at the Channel A Open Studio in Jongno-gu, Seoul, former president Han was asked by the moderator about the possibility of a "big tent" with acting president Han Ducksoo. He responded, "I will make the choice that leads to victory anyway. I will respond to various situations after the primary."
He continued, "In today's poll, I received the highest support among conservatives. I am confident that through this primary, the People Power Party candidate will ultimately represent the entire conservative bloc."
Former mayor Hong also stated, "If acting president Han runs as a candidate for our camp, it will be difficult to compete against Lee Jaemyung, former leader of the Democratic Party, without unification," adding, "Not only acting president Han, but also candidate Lee Junseok and even candidates from the non-mainstream faction should all come together to form a 'big tent.'"
Former leader Han and former mayor Hong also shared the same opinion regarding whether president Yoon should leave the party. Former mayor Hong said, "Even if the president leaves the party, it doesn't make martial law or impeachment disappear," and added, "I think it is right to leave it to his own choice."
Former leader Han explained, "On December 10 last year, during my tenure as party leader, I even convened the ethics committee to discuss expulsion. At that time, he was still president, and I judged that he should not be performing his duties. Now, due to impeachment, he is no longer president. This issue does not need to be highlighted, and it should be left to his own judgment."
Regarding the promotion of an inter-Korean summit, former leader Han said, "Ultimately, peace between North and South Korea is important. However, we will never abandon our fundamental principles," and added, "In principle, the Republic of Korea is a country that pursues peace, so we will promote talks. However, there will be no begging for a summit or attaching other conditions."
Former leader Hong emphasized, "In the past, while promoting inter-Korean summits, a lot of money was handed over to North Korea. Especially during the presidency of Lee Myungbak, the talks fell through because North Korea demanded money," and added, "Summits are good, but I believe it is right for the two Koreas to refrain from interfering with each other and move toward mutual competition between their systems."
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