Ha Tae-kyung: "Hong Joon-pyo Has 'Political Genius'... Yoon Should Take Him as a Political Mentor"

Yoon "Senior Hong's brief message touched my heart... We are comrades for regime change"
Hong "I have no intention to participate in the unprecedented corruption-suspected presidential election led by the prosecution"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential primary candidate, and Hong Joon-pyo, the People Power Party presidential primary candidate, are waiting for the announcement of the presidential primary results at the People Power Party's 2nd National Convention held on the afternoon of the 5th at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Ha Tae-kyung, co-chairman of the campaign committee for Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, said, "I think Candidate Yoon should regard Hong Joon-pyo as his political mentor."

On the 8th, Ha appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' and stated, "Although my relationship with Hong is somewhat complicated, he is a person with political genius."

He added, "If the rule had been 100% based on public opinion polls, Hong would have become the official candidate," and said, "I sincerely offer my condolences. As Candidate Yoon said, 'We are all one team,' and 'Kkanbu' (close comrades), he must devote himself wholeheartedly."

Regarding the other candidates who competed in the primary, he said, "From a policy perspective, Candidate Yoon seemed to evaluate that former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min was the best prepared. Similarly, I think he should be well regarded as a policy teacher," adding, "Ultimately, the three candidates played the role of trainers for Yoon Seok-yeol. I am grateful to all the candidates, and we must all become one team."

Earlier, on the 7th, Candidate Yoon posted on his Facebook, "Senior Hong Joon-pyo's brief message moved my heart," and said, "It shone much brighter than my acceptance speech." He continued, "The gracious farewell with wonderful wit and the elder brotherly smile shown to the people and party members will be unforgettable for a long time."

He also said, "Candidate Yoo Seung-min's message was equally touching," and "Candidate Won Hee-ryong's words were very reassuring." He then said, "Now we are all kkanbu for regime change."

However, Hong stated clearly on his Facebook, "I have no intention of participating in the first-ever corruption-suspected presidential election led by the prosecution," and said, "In this election, I believe my role ended by making our party's primary dynamic and successful with a foggy primary. As I already stated at the party convention, my role in this election ends there."

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