Hwang Kyo-an: "Kim Moo-sung's Candidacy in Honam, an Area Difficult for the Public to Easily Accept"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, explained the reason behind former Saenuri Party leader Kim Moo-sung's failed bid to run in Honam, stating that "(his candidacy) is an area that the public cannot easily accept."

On the 25th, during a Q&A session at the Kwanhun Club held at the Seoul Press Center, Hwang said, "Considering his place of origin, his career so far, and his activities in the relevant region comprehensively, there were quite a few opinions that this is an area that the public would not easily accept."

Regarding reports that Hwang opposed Kim's Honam candidacy and thus it did not proceed, he said, "It is better to refrain from speculation as much as possible," adding, "The political domain that Kim has long built up lies elsewhere."

On the United Future Party's failure to nominate candidates in 18 Honam constituencies, he said, "We lacked resources and also did not make sufficient efforts to search widely for people," adding, "We will continue efforts to find talented individuals broadly without regional distinctions." When asked again by a reporter about opposing Kim despite the lack of resources, he replied, "This is not a matter of approval or disapproval; we must make appropriate nominations and place talents in suitable positions," adding, "Using someone as a one-time tool and then discarding them is not an appropriate placement."

Regarding criticism that the new proportional representation candidate list of the Future Korea Party is filled with 'pro-Hwang' members, he responded, "There are no factions." Hwang said, "There is especially no pro-Hwang faction, and we will not create one in the future," adding, "We will make efforts to bring in many good talents for the future of our party." Some raised concerns about possible election law violations during the process of remaking the proportional representation candidate list. Hwang responded, "There were reasonable discussions that can occur between sister parties," adding, "There were no excessive or overstepping discussions."

Regarding criticism that the Future Korea Party is a political 'trick,' he said, "It came as a response to the coalition election law created by the Democratic Party and coalition parties," adding, "The Democratic Party promised not to create a proportional party and pushed the election law through, but before the ink on that promise was dry, they created a proportional party, which is a clear lie and breach of promise to the public."

There were also criticisms that the Future Korea Party leader is effectively a 'figurehead.' In response, Hwang said, "If it were a figurehead, cooperation with the sister party should have been very smooth, but in reality, there were aspects where it was not smooth," adding, "That was not a figurehead situation; please understand it as a discord arising from differing views within the party."

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