Hong Jun-pyo, "Yoon's '2 Million Won Soldier Salary' Pledge? Nonsense... Too Hasty"

Evaluation of Yoon's Pledges like 'Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality' and '2 Million Won Monthly Salary for Soldiers'
"If the Messenger Loses Trust, the Message Won't Work"

Hong Jun-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, commented on Yoon Seok-yeol's presidential campaign promises.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, dismissed Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate's pledge of "2 million won monthly salary for soldiers" as "nonsense."

On the 10th, Hong said through the Q&A section of his communication platform 'Youth's Dream' that recent pledges made by Yoon, such as the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, aimed at winning the votes of men in their 20s and 30s, were "made in haste."

When a netizen commented that the "2 million won monthly salary for soldiers" pledge seemed to slightly capture the votes of young men in their 20s, Hong replied, "Well, I don't know." Regarding the criticism that "(Yoon's) message is starting to fall on deaf ears," Hong analyzed, "If the messenger loses trust, the message won't be accepted."

He also mentioned Yoon's exemption from military service. When another netizen criticized Yoon, saying, "I wonder if you know that a sergeant at level 10 does not even receive a net monthly salary of 2 million won. I'm tired of such absurd populist pledges. I hope he makes promises he can keep," Hong responded, "Because he hasn't served in the military," and added, "He should pledge a volunteer military system." Yoon was exempted from military service in August 1982 due to a diagnosis of anisometropia, meaning "unequal eyes," during his physical examination.

Earlier, Hong also dismissed the claim that he should actively support Yoon. He posted an article titled "The Characteristics of This Party" on 'Youth's Dream,' stating, "Even if I help (Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate), it should be behind the scenes. I no longer intend to foolishly take the lead and bear the brunt."

Hong continued, "In this party where I have been for 27 years, when things go well, a few eunuchs take all the credit, and when things go wrong, one person is scapegoated while the eunuchs hide. To be swept up in this mess, after turning this great presidential election environment into such a state and being asked to take the blame, is something only a fool would do. However, I will do my part behind the scenes," he emphasized.

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