Hong Joon-pyo: "Hwang's Candidacy in Hostile District Is a Natural Step... What Great Sacrifice?"

Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo is giving a special lecture to students at Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk Province on the afternoon of November 27 last year. The event was organized by the Yeungnam University Department of Political Science and Diplomacy Student Council. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo criticized Hwang Kyo-ahn's declaration to run in a difficult district in the metropolitan area, saying, "It is a natural step for someone who has been in the party for less than a year to declare candidacy in a difficult district," and added, "What kind of great sacrifice is that to drag others into it?"

On the 4th, Hong made this harsh comment on his Facebook, saying, "Do you still think politics can be done properly if it is not based on political conviction but only on religious conviction?"

He continued, "Declaring conservative unity again as a crisis avoidance measure and dragging out time by talking about running in difficult districts," and argued, "If you only think you can keep your position by somehow getting through January, the entire conservative right-wing group, which is one of the two pillars of Korean society, could face a catastrophic collapse."

He also criticized the Liberty Korea Party lawmakers, saying, "Even though it is obvious they will lose if nominated, why are they so obsessed with nominations, unable to speak up, and cowardly watching the atmosphere?"

Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn (right) and floor leader Shim Jae-cheol are performing the national ceremony at the "National Rally for Creating a Hopeful Korea" held in front of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 3rd, Hwang attended the 'Hope for Korea National Rally' held in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and announced, "I will run in a difficult district in the metropolitan area in this year's general election."

At the time, Hwang said, "I will go to a difficult district and fight and win together with you," and added, "I would appreciate it if our party's senior lawmakers also go to difficult places together." However, he did not answer questions about the specific district he would run in.

Meanwhile, Hwang also expressed his determination to achieve unity within the broader conservative camp that day. He said, "There are about four months left until April 15," and added, "During that time, we will be more thoroughly broken, changed, and innovated, enter the hearts of the people, win their hearts, and surely achieve victory."

He continued, "Such a fight requires great unity," and argued, "All free right-wing people who love our country coming together as one to protect the constitution, liberal democracy, and the market economy is exactly what unity means."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.