Choi Jae-hyung on question comparing with Yoon: "No political debt... Possible national unity"

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, is giving a lecture at the People Power Party's first-term lawmakers' meeting "Myeongbulheojeon Conservative Season 5" held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 10th, Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party and former head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, described his distinction from his intra-party rival, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, as "someone who has no political debts related to our country's complicated past political history."

Choi appeared on TV Chosun's 'News 9' that day and said, "Candidate Yoon is decisive and has played an important role in single-handedly leading the support of the conservative opposition since the end of last year."

He added, "I think one point of comparison between Candidate Yoon and myself is that I am in a position to achieve national unity."

Regarding his reason for declaring his candidacy, saying "I could not just watch the country collapse," he said, "What I was most worried about was that our politics were in a state of almost civil war-like division. It was concerning that our country's politics were divided, with sides taken according to political interests."

He continued, "I also saw that the national finances had reached a very precarious state due to various populist policies, and that the lives of ordinary people and young people were collapsing because of ideologically biased policies," adding, "There is also a lot of public anxiety about national defense and security. These are the reasons why I thought 'the country is collapsing.'"

In response to criticism that he might be unprepared as president, he replied, "More important than knowing detailed policies as president is placing truly capable talents in the right positions at the right time to maximize the nation's capabilities and lead the country well."

Regarding the controversy over singing the national anthem up to the fourth verse at family gatherings during holidays, he said, "It is not a common scene in our country. Singing the national anthem enthusiastically is not patriotism. Patriotism is each citizen doing their work diligently where they stand," and added, "If there were people uncomfortable with the photo of family members singing the national anthem together, it is just a difference in opinion, but the heart thinking of the country is the same."

When asked about what strategy he would use to raise his approval ratings, Choi said, "If I present policies that the people truly need and want, and show the way I have lived my life so far, I expect that my recognition will increase and accordingly, my support will also rise a little."

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