Hong Jun-pyo "Park Geun-hye's expulsion, sincerely ask for forgiveness... Will pardon if I become president"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Hong Jun-pyo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, apologized on the 31st for the expulsion of former President Park Geun-hye.

At a "Press conference appealing to the public and party members ahead of the runoff election" held at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Hong said, "Regarding the expulsion of former President Park, although it was an unavoidable measure to prevent the left-wing constitutional amendment under the Moon Jae-in administration, I sincerely ask for forgiveness for hurting the hearts of party members." He also said, "Once I become president and have the special pardon authority, I will pardon the two former presidents immediately."

Previously, on November 3, 2017, when Hong was the leader of the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, he expelled former President Park. Earlier, the Liberty Korea Party Ethics Committee had imposed a 'recommendation to leave the party' disciplinary action on former President Park, who was imprisoned for the state affairs manipulation scandal, holding her politically responsible. Since former President Park did not leave the party despite the recommendation, Hong decided to expel her by his authority as party leader.

Meanwhile, regarding the People Power Party presidential primary, Hong said, "If a telephone interview survey is conducted rather than ARS (automated response system) in the primary, I will win by more than 10 percentage points," and added, "In surveys targeting party members, I will win even by just 1 percentage point."

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