"Cheongwadae Is Not a Study Room," "At Least Cram Study"... Yoon and Choi Face Fierce Attacks from Opposition Presidential Candidates (Summary)

Hong Jun-pyo "Prepare and Come Out Again"
Yoo Seung-min "Fairness and Constitutional Spirit? Nonsense"
Won Hee-ryong "Announcing Candidacy Without Preparation? Disrespect to the People"
Ha Tae-kyung "Patriotism Alone Can't Make a President"

Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung recently declared their party membership and candidacy, officially starting their presidential campaigns, on the 5th, the People Power Party presidential candidates continued their offensive by pointing out the two candidates' 'lack of preparation.'

On this day, People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo indirectly criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon on his Facebook post, saying, "One of them makes wavering statements every time, requiring spokesperson explanations, and blames reporters by saying 'the true intention was distorted.'" He then pointed out former Chairman Choi, saying, "The other asks for understanding because he is not prepared, which is truly regrettable."

He emphasized, "State affairs are neither practice nor something that can be managed by cramming," adding, "We are already suffering in South Korea because we elected an incapable president based on image alone. Please calmly study and research the issues before delivering messages."

He continued, "If you are not prepared, at least cram and prepare before coming out again," and said, "The presidency is a crucial position responsible for the lives and property of 50 million people."

Another People Power Party presidential candidate, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, also commented during a non-face-to-face press conference on the same day regarding the insufficient policy capabilities of former Prosecutor General Yoon and former Chairman Choi, saying, "Candidates who only talk vaguely about fairness, constitutional spirit, and such, as if that is politics and policy is something of a lower level, need to change their thinking." He added, "Because of such things, failed presidents have appeared every five years." 'Fairness' is the core value declared by former Prosecutor General Yoon, and 'constitutional spirit' is the core value put forward by former Chairman Choi when announcing their presidential candidacies.

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong also criticized former Chairman Choi's lack of preparation for the presidency. Through Facebook, former Governor Won said, "What kind of thoughts did you have about the presidency to repeatedly say 'I am not prepared' or 'I will think about it' at the time of declaring your candidacy?" He questioned, "While I highly evaluate former Chairman Choi's life history and character, do you think you can become president just with 'vague thoughts' and 'good words'?"

He continued, "In a world where even elementary school president elections undergo fierce pledge and qualification verification," and criticized, "I am baffled whether there was a 'serious reason' or 'sufficient preparation' to abruptly leave the position of head of the constitutional institution, the Board of Audit and Inspection, to run for president."

He also pointed out, "Preparation for state administration is not something that can be organized by studying for a month or two. Declaring candidacy without preparation is a tremendous disrespect to the people," adding, "The Blue House is not a study room. Without qualifications and preparation, you will only become a puppet president swayed by those around you without conviction, easily reduced to a 'puppet' of 'professionals'."

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung, who also declared his presidential bid, emphasized, "Even if the president does not know everything, he must at least know the basics across all national issues in various fields."

Pointing out former Chairman Choi's lack of preparation, Ha said, "There are already past presidents who have proven with their whole bodies that the qualifications of a president are not something that can be supplemented anytime," adding, "You cannot be president with just excellent character and patriotism."

He also referred to former Prosecutor General Yoon's remarks in a media interview suggesting that there was no radioactive leakage from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, saying, "People who are unprepared only rush outward, which is why accidents like 'Fukushima' keep happening," and emphasized, "Please discard such dangerous thoughts as soon as possible, and next time, we would appreciate it if you could present well-prepared and organized thoughts."

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