Joo Ho-young: "Seoul Mayoral Election, Can Go Together with Ahn... The Choice Depends on Ahn"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said regarding the possibility of a unified conservative candidate for Seoul mayor, "I can go together with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party," adding, "The choice is up to Leader Ahn."

On the 27th, Joo appeared on MBC Radio’s 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus' and responded to the host’s question by saying, "Both Leader Ahn and we share the view that the Moon Jae-in administration’s reckless actions must be stopped."

He said, "We have repeatedly expressed that we can always work together, and now it seems to depend on Leader Ahn or the People’s Party’s choice," adding, "If Leader Ahn unites with us, whether it is for Seoul mayor or the presidential election, combining his independent support base with our party’s supporters will create greater expansion and be much more helpful in conducting the election."

Regarding the mention of the 'Mr. Trot' method in this process, he said, "It’s not that we want to do exactly the same as Mr. Trot, but it should be a method that many citizens can participate in and be enjoyable," adding, "Rather than having a single primary and ending it, I believe there is competitiveness in the general election when candidates are selected step-by-step and compressed, so we are studying the Mr. Trot method."

Regarding the United Future Party’s insistence on the principle of 'selective payment' for the second disaster relief fund and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung’s criticism calling them a "party specialized in showmanship and a party for the rich," he said, "I want to return those words as they are," adding, "Isn’t it much more appropriate to give 600,000 to 900,000 won to self-employed and small business owners who receive little help from 300,000 won payments, rather than giving 300,000 won to everyone including public officials or those working in companies whose salaries have not been cut?"

Regarding the ruling party, he said, "If the second disaster relief fund is to be paid, the reserve fund is insufficient and a fourth supplementary budget is necessary," adding, "The ruling party should take the lead in resolving this issue, but since the term of Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, ends the day after tomorrow (the 29th) and the party convention is underway, they are unable to settle it," urging them to clarify their position.

The Democratic Party is pressuring to appoint members of the nomination committee for the head of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) by the end of this month. Regarding this, Joo said, "We are not unprepared for various cases regarding the nomination, but in principle, we must wait for the constitutional court ruling," emphasizing, "We should fill the special inspector position, which has been vacant for four years, before proceeding."

The ruling and opposition parties recently agreed to process COVID-19 related bills without a deliberation period. Joo said, "Since COVID-19 quarantine is an urgent matter where every second counts, we agreed to integrate and prioritize the review and processing rather than having a long deliberation period."

However, regarding controversial laws such as the 'Park Hyung-soon Prohibition Act,' he said, "There is a complex issue of whether the value of freedom of assembly is more precious or whether the possibility of public health or safety being compromised by assemblies should be prioritized for protection," adding, "Attacking a ruling by naming the judge who made the decision is a very dangerous behavior."

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