Hong Jun-pyo Postpones Party Resignation... Lee In-je to Hold Press Conference on 10th for Independent Candidacy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Hong Joon-pyo, the former Liberty Korea Party candidate who was expected to run as an independent in protest of the cut-off (nomination exclusion) decision, postponed his resignation on the 9th and demanded a decision from Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the United Future Party. However, independent candidacies by senior members opposing the nominations are expected to continue.

Former lawmaker Lee In-je announced on the 9th that he will hold a press conference on the 10th afternoon at Lee's campaign office on Simin-ro, Nonsan City, to declare his independent candidacy.

On the 5th, the United Future Party's nomination committee effectively cut off Lee by nominating former organization chairman Park Woo-seok as the sole candidate for Chungnam Nonsan-Gyeryong-Geumsan. In response, on the 6th, Lee posted on his Facebook, stating, "The so-called cut-off, which unilaterally excludes the frontrunner in the primary, is an anti-democratic act violating the constitution," and added, "It is not only an attack on the frontrunner but also a violent attack on party members and the public who have the right to decide the candidate," expressing his opposition to the nomination committee's decision.

On the same day, through Facebook, he said, "Politicians are warriors who fight for values. The battlefield is the election," and "It would be good to win and establish values, but even if a warrior falls on the battlefield, that is honor," showing his intention to run as an independent.

Meanwhile, on the same day, former leader Hong held a press conference and said he would postpone running in his hometown and resigning, requesting to be allowed to compete in the primary in Yangsan-eul. He said, "The nomination committee's cut-off decision is 'sacheon (private recommendation)' and 'makcheon (reckless nomination)'," and requested, "I ask Leader Hwang to correct this." Hong added, "This time, it will be judged whether Leader Hwang's capacity is truly great or small," and said, "It is difficult to resign because the 3 million party members weigh on my mind, so (Leader Hwang) please make a decision."

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