Hong Joon-pyo Appears Wearing a Red Tie: "The Primary Election Is Becoming a Disgraceful Comedy"

People Power Party presidential pre-candidate Hong Joon-pyo, wearing a red tie for the first time since becoming a preliminary candidate.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] “The primary election is turning into a disgraceful comedy. How can it be lowered to this level?”

On the 4th, Hong Joon-pyo, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, made this remark while attending the ‘jp Hope Camp’ Gyeongnam Election Committee appointment ceremony held at the People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Office.

Meeting with reporters that day, Hong responded to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol’s camp’s criticism regarding name changes and underwear by saying, “Today, spokesperson Jin-young from Yoon’s camp said that candidate only washes his fingers when washing his hands,” adding, “If you did something wrong, you should ask for understanding, but lying is unacceptable. It’s absurd and is turning the presidential race into a comedy parade.”

He continued, “Now, there is no need for the conservatives to be divided,” and appealed, “Since this is my hometown, I ask more than ten people to be persuaded to overwhelmingly support me in the upcoming second preliminary election (cutoff).”

Regarding former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who resigned amid controversy over his son’s 5 billion won retirement pay, he said, “It reminded me of the impeachment period.”

Hong stated, “I believe voluntary resignation is the right thing to do,” emphasizing, “People say all should be expelled, but except during YS’s time, there has been no expulsion in constitutional history.”

He added, “Even Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-jik, who is serving time in prison for embezzlement, has not been expelled,” and pointed out, “Although there is public demand, when there is no final verdict or anything concrete, and people are proposed to be expelled just because of public anger, it reminded me of impeachment.”

He then criticized, “A leader who will lead a country must assess the situation, think coldly like ice, and make decisions. If not, and just follow public anger, the problem will grow bigger.”

That day, Hong attracted attention by wearing a red tie for the first time since becoming a preliminary candidate.

Starting with the Gyeongnam Election Committee appointment ceremony, Hong plans to visit party members in Changwon, Jinju, and other places.

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