Hong Joon-pyo: "Kim Jong-in and Ahn Cheol-soo's Criticism is 'Petty Politics'... Unity Should Be Led by the Parties Themselves"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 15th, independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo criticized Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, regarding the unification of opposition candidates. He said Kim's criticism of Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party candidate for Seoul mayor, was "petty politics that cannot distinguish friend from foe."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Hong expressed his thoughts on the unification of opposition candidates through social media (SNS).

First, Hong said, "Ahead of the opposition unification, even Chairman Kim Jong-in stepping forward to harshly slander candidate Ahn Cheol-soo is nothing but petty politics," adding, "If the era’s imperative is opposition unification, then instead of thinking about mediating from a neutral position, criticizing a fellow opposition candidate while the opponent is the (Democratic) Party is petty politics that cannot distinguish friend from foe." He then urged, "Please stop and step aside."

Earlier, Chairman Kim criticized candidate Ahn at the first Seoul Together meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee held at the Yeouido Central Party Office, saying, "Someone who cannot even properly debate cannot become the Seoul mayor candidate." Regarding Ahn’s camp’s claim to remove the party name and number when running for election, Kim also said, "What kind of person so lacking in confidence would try to run?"

In response, Hong said, "After running the party so autocratically and acting spitefully for the past year, will you continue this obstinate politics until the last month?"

Regarding candidate unification, he also urged that the candidates themselves negotiate directly instead of the party. Hong said, "It is right for the candidates themselves to decide the opposition unification through direct negotiation," adding, "Do not rely on the party; compete with your character." He emphasized, "The result is important, but the process is also important," and warned, "Unification that leaves bitterness and wounds will only cause difficulties in the main election."

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