"'Revival of the Death Penalty' by Hong Joon-pyo, Yoon Seok-yeol says 'Duterte style'... Hong replies 'Way off the mark'"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, is answering reporters' questions at the Chungbuk Provincial Government press room on the 31st of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, criticized Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo, who mentioned the reinstatement of the death penalty, by comparing him to Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines. In response, Assemblyman Hong directly countered, saying, "Duterte is not me, but President Moon Jae-in."

On the 1st, Yoon visited the Central Association of the Elderly in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and when asked by reporters about Assemblyman Hong's remarks, he criticized, "It is Duterte-style for a president to comment on the judicial enforcement of criminal punishment."

He added, "Strong punishment for heinous criminals is something all citizens desire, and the legal system itself is designed that way," and said, "If the system is not properly responding to heinous criminals, it is appropriate for the president to understand the system's problems well and cooperate with the National Assembly to create the necessary laws."

People Power Party's presidential pre-candidate Hong Jun-pyo is holding a press conference at the Jeju City Yeondong branch of the People Power Party Jeju Provincial Party on the afternoon of the 30th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Assemblyman Hong posted on his Facebook on the same day, "When President Moon ordered the investigation of deep-rooted evils, over 1,000 people from our camp were indiscriminately investigated, about 200 were detained, and 5 committed suicide. Yet, I was compared to Duterte for saying 'I will carry out executions based on the Criminal Procedure Act,'" and rebutted, "This is completely off the mark."

He continued, "The proper order is to reflect on the past deep-rooted investigations that led the charge in the destruction of the conservative right-wing under President Moon's orders and to sincerely apologize to the people," and said sharply, "Comparing me to Duterte is a misfire. President Moon is Duterte, and you were Duterte's henchman."

Earlier, Assemblyman Hong stated on Facebook that Yang Mo (29), who sexually assaulted and murdered a 20-month-old infant, "should be executed," and added, "If I become president, I will definitely execute such a person."

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