Hong Jun-pyo "Let me hold the primary in Yangsan... I will see Hwang Kyo-ahn's 'capacity'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo has appealed against the cut-off (nomination exclusion) decision made by the Future United Party's nomination management committee, requesting to be allowed to compete in the primary election in Yangsan-eul. He demanded that Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn make a decisive decision, claiming that the entire nomination process so far is null and void.

On the 9th, at a press conference held at his campaign office in Yangsan-eul, Gyeongnam, he said, "I cannot just leave the party and run as an independent as if I had been waiting like former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho." While there was speculation that he might announce his intention to run as an independent in his hometown following the news of his press conference, Hong firmly stated that running in his hometown is the 'easy way' and that he would not choose that path. He said, "I visited my hometowns such as Miryang and Haman to bid a beautiful farewell to my supporters. Although they urged me to return home, I asked for their understanding because taking the easy way is not like Hong Joon-pyo."

He characterized the United Party's nomination committee's cut-off decision as 'private recommendation' (sacheon) and 'reckless nomination' (makcheon), urging Representative Hwang to correct it. Hong said, "This will be the moment to judge whether Representative Hwang's capacity is truly great or small," emphasizing, "It is difficult for me to leave the party because I am mindful of the 3 million party members, so I ask (Hwang) to make a decision."

His demand is to overturn the cut-off decision and allow a fair primary election. Hong said, "Excluding the overwhelming first-place candidate from a difficult district and grouping the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place candidates for a primary is a decision made with the intention of removing Hong Joon-pyo even if it means sacrificing Yangsan-eul," adding, "In the past, opposition parties respected their rivals and acknowledged their shares, but cutting off all my followers and forcing a difficult primary is a way to monopolize."

He also raised his voice, calling ignoring his demand an 'act of treason.' Hong said, "If such a decision is made, it is an act of treason and only benefits the Democratic Party," questioning, "Then will your own Jongno election succeed?" Regarding an independent alliance with former Gyeongnam Governor Kim and others, he said, "I have no intention at all," emphasizing, "An independent alliance completely denies the party's decision, so I cannot take such action. Even if I have to run as an independent inevitably, I will not form an independent alliance that fully denies the party's decision."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the press conference, former Representative Hong detailed the behind-the-scenes of the nomination process over the past month. He said, "I decided to run in my hometown for the last time and came down to my hometown, but less than a month later, I succumbed to Chairman Kim's notification of 'no hometown candidacy' and, as a compromise, decided to move to Yangsan-eul, a district continuously requested by former Yangsan Mayor Na Dong-yeon, to have a 'Yangsan showdown.' However, on the 2nd, suddenly an additional call for applications for Yangsan-eul appeared on the party website, and former Mayor Na, who had brought me to Yangsan, applied and even had an interview."

He claimed that during this process, Chairman Kim personally called him and said that if he could not persuade the hesitant former Mayor Na, he would be cut off, but if he persuaded him to apply, they would hold a primary together. However, he was ultimately cut off. Hong said, "I did not expect that they would conduct a conspiratorial nomination for over a month to block my hometown candidacy by having Na Dong-yeon take me out of my hometown and persuade additional applications, only to cut me off."

Regarding former President Park Geun-hye's prison letter, he said, "We need to judge whether that letter will bring moderate voters to us and how much it will strengthen the opposition's unity," adding, "I do not see it as an unilaterally favorable situation for us."

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