Hong Jun-pyo "I am qualified to run in my hometown... Please let me go now"

Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is answering questions from reporters during his visit to the Haman County Office in Haman County, Gyeongnam Province on the 20th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon] Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo addressed the controversy surrounding his decision to run for office in his hometown on the 10th, stating, "I have done enough so far. Please let me go now."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Hong wrote, "I have no intention whatsoever of voluntarily leaving the party. I will not be shaken by the misguided public opinion campaigns."

He added, "Some in the conservative and right-wing camps are portraying my decision to run in Jongno and the opposition party's unification as a sacrifice," and expressed regret over criticisms labeling his hometown candidacy as clinging to vested interests, reaffirming his intention to stick to running in his hometown.

He continued, "Two-thirds of lawmakers run in their hometowns," and said, "After 25 years of tough politics, I want to conclude my political career in my hometown, which is why I am making my first hometown run."

He also stated, "One must have served as a lawmaker in their hometown to talk about vested interests, so I do not understand why this is considered clinging to vested interests."

Furthermore, Hong said, "Some people led the impeachment and greatly contributed to the collapse of Korean conservatism, while others have been in the party for only a year and have not contributed at all," and argued, "Their decisions are not sacrificial resolutions for the party but natural steps."

He added, "I have steadfastly protected this party for the past 25 years and have made countless sacrificial decisions for the party," and said, "I believe I have the right to run once in my hometown to recover my weary mind and body and to stand up again in my hometown."

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