Hong Joon-pyo: "If Lee Jae-myung Becomes Presidential Candidate, He Will Never Resign"

"If Lee Jae-myung Becomes Presidential Candidate, People Power Party Will Have It Easy"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Hong Joon-pyo, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, said on the 6th, "It is easier if Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, becomes (the Democratic Party presidential candidate)." Hong predicted that Lee would not give up on the presidential race himself regarding the current allegations.

On the same day, appearing on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Hong criticized Lee by saying, "The phrase 'myeonhusimhuk (面厚心黑),' meaning 'thick-faced and shameless,' came to mind, as only those who are thick-faced and shameless can become kings," calling him "brazen."

Regarding Lee mentioning 'personnel management' issues in connection with the arrest of former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu, Hong said, "Lee himself designed it, didn't he?" and pointed out, "How is that personnel management? It's not personnel management but corruption management, corruption design, and bribery design."

Hong also denied the possibility that Lee's subordinates designed the corruption. He said, "(The Daejang-dong development scandal) is too big," and pointed out, "The corrupt structure where 1% of the shares take more than 50% of the profits is a structure impossible without the mayor's tacit approval."

He added, "Lee seems to view the Daejang-dong corruption case similarly to the DJ slush fund case in 1997," but argued, "When DJ was exposed to the so-called slush fund case and it was questioned whether the prosecution would investigate or not, then Prosecutor General Kim Tae-jung halted the investigation under YS's orders. (Lee) seems to be trying to break through in a similar way this time, but this is a different case from the DJ slush fund case." Hong pointed out that unlike the DJ slush fund case, which had no victims, the Daejang-dong development allegations have victims, making it difficult to stop or cover up the investigation.

When asked if Lee would eventually withdraw from the presidential race, Hong predicted, "Whether he finishes the race or not, if he becomes a candidate, he will never resign."

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