Won Hee-ryong: "Hwang Kyo-ik at Gyeonggi Tourism Organization? Kim Eo-jun will become KBS President"

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, Food Columnist Hwang Kyo-ik Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Jeju Governor and People Power Party presidential candidate Won Heeryong mocked Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who appointed food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, saying, "If Hwang Kyo-ik becomes president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, then Kim Eo-jun will become KBS president."

On the 14th, Won posted on Facebook, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung, who generously bestows favors on his own side, this is exactly what is called the 'Governor Chance,'" he said.

Won criticized, "Using the 'Governor Chance' almost daily, you must feel embarrassed yourself, right? Using the appointment power of the Gyeonggi governor to repeatedly make patronage appointments, it seems obvious that if you become president, it will be a 'Jae-myung reign.'"

He continued sarcastically, "If saying 'I understand the brother-in-law's abusive language' qualifies one to be president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, then Kim Eo-jun is also fully qualified to be KBS president," and added, "Thank you for showing us the vision of Korea that Lee Jae-myung envisions."

He urged, "There must be principles in appointments," and said, "Because of the principle-less appointments of the Moon Jae-in administration, the people are bearing the full brunt of the damage. I urge you to withdraw these patronage appointments."

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, a preliminary candidate in the People Power Party presidential primary. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, it was revealed that Governor Lee had appointed Hwang as president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. Some criticized that Hwang lacks expertise in the tourism field and that, as a figure who defended Lee’s past 'brother-in-law abusive language controversy,' this appointment was a patronage move.

On the 30th of last month, Hwang appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' and said regarding Lee’s 'brother-in-law abusive language controversy,' "If you live in that environment, you naturally internalize such language. Let's understand that."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province dismissed the controversy, stating that Hwang was not appointed president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization due to his personal relationship with Governor Lee.

According to reports, a Gyeonggi Province official said, "The Executive Recommendation Committee, composed of external members, verified expertise and selected candidates," and added, "While it is true that they know each other, it is completely untrue that he was appointed president due to personal friendship."

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