Ahn Cheolsoo Urges Hong Junpyo: "Have You Had a Change of Heart? Do Not Be Fooled by Lee Jae Myung"

"Supporters Must Be Stopped from Backing Lee Jae Myung"

Ahn Cheolsoo and Hong Junpyo, candidates who were eliminated in the third round of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary, are listening to the impressions of the advancing candidates on the afternoon of the 29th of last month at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Representative Ahn Cheolsoo of the People Power Party made an appeal to former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, urging him "not to be swayed by candidate Lee Jae Myung." This is interpreted as expressing concern over reports that Lee Byungtae, former KAIST professor who served as a key policy advisor for Hong Junpyo during the presidential primary, may join the Lee Jae Myung Democratic Party presidential campaign.

On the 13th, Representative Ahn posted a message on his Facebook page titled, "Former Mayor Hong Junpyo, you must never be swayed by Lee Jae Myung's sweet talk."

Representative Ahn began by saying, "I am raising this out of concern as a junior colleague, wondering if your thoughts may have changed after your retirement from politics."

He continued, "You have experienced more than anyone else the dangers posed by candidate Lee Jae Myung as an individual and the harm that the Democratic Party's abuse of power has inflicted on the country. You have consistently pointed out these problems, and I remember all the numerous statements you have made clarifying your firm stance against candidate Lee Jae Myung."

However, he added, "Recently, I have heard that there seems to be a shift in your political stance ahead of the presidential election. If you are even considering, even by 1%, the possibility of cooperating with candidate Lee Jae Myung, I sincerely urge you, as a party member, a political junior, and as a citizen, not to be swayed by Lee Jae Myung's sweet words."

He also stated, "There have been reports that some of your supporters have begun to support candidate Lee Jae Myung, or that some of your close associates are joining Lee Jae Myung's campaign. You must firmly stop such trends. Even though you have left politics, you remain a symbolic figure in our party. Blocking candidate Lee Jae Myung and supporting our resurgence is the very path that will further honor your legacy," he added.

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is giving a speech at the 'Revolution of Light' rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the 12th, marking the official start of the 21st presidential election campaign. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Meanwhile, prior to the reports of former KAIST professor Lee Byungtae joining the Lee Jae Myung campaign, "People with Hong Junpyo" (Hongsamo, Hongsarang, Gukmintonghap Jjinhong, Hong Junpyo Campaign SNS Team), a group of Hong Junpyo's supporters, declared their support for Lee Jae Myung, stating, "At this turning point where we must move from division to unity, the politician who will lead Korea to become an advanced nation is candidate Lee Jae Myung."

They said, "We stand here to realize the vision of a unified nation where conservatives and progressives coexist, a vision dreamed of by former Mayor Hong. People with Hong Junpyo will work for the election of candidate Lee Jae Myung, leaving behind ideology and factionalism, to ensure Korea's economic leap forward and national unity," they said.