"We Are Already Sacrificed" Hong Joon-pyo and Kim Tae-ho Oppose Party Public Relations Committee

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] As the Liberty Korea Party's nomination management committee is increasingly likely to exclude former leader Hong Joon-pyo and former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho from running in their hometowns, they are expressing opposition.

Former leader Hong and former governor Kim criticized the party through their Facebook posts on the same day. The main point was that "having already sacrificed by running in difficult districts, they are being forced to sacrifice again."

Former Governor Kim said, "Nomination Committee Chairman Kim Hyung-oh said, 'If you don't run in a difficult district, you won't get a nomination,' but I already fought with a do-or-die spirit in 2011 when called by the party in Bongha, Gimhae, the hometown of President Roh Moo-hyun, which is called the sanctuary of the Democratic Party," adding, "In 2018, even though I knew it was an election I could only lose, I obediently followed the party's order and ran in the Gyeongnam governor election, where death was clearly visible, and although I was defeated, I achieved a meaningful defeat."

He continued, "I did not run in the 20th general election. That was my deep reflection on the nomination turmoil," and expressed opposition to the nomination committee, saying, "I am not a 'migratory bird' who only runs in difficult districts." He added, "This time, I want to work in my beloved hometown that wants me. Going to any other region now would not be respectful to the residents of that area," and said, "If my wish to run in my hometown is fulfilled, I will throw my whole body into winning the general election by running all over Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, as well as anywhere nationwide if it is the party's order, throughout the election period."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former leader Hong also opposed the party through Facebook, saying, "It is truly regrettable to criticize my hometown candidacy as clinging to vested interests."

He said, "Two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly run in their hometowns, and after 25 years of politics in difficult districts, I want to finish my political career by running in my hometown for the first time, but I do not understand why that is considered clinging to vested interests."

Hong seemed to be conscious of Representative Yoo Seung-min and Leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, saying, "Some people took the lead in impeachment and greatly contributed to the collapse of Korean conservatism, and some have only been in the party for one year and have not contributed at all," emphasizing, "Their decisions are not sacrificial decisions for the party but natural steps."

He added, "I have unwaveringly protected the party for the past 25 years and have made countless sacrificial decisions. I deserve to run in my hometown at least once to stand up again in my hometown," and said, "I have done enough so far. Please let me go now."

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