Hong Joon-pyo: "Don't hate Jang Je-won too much... He has many misunderstandings but also special strengths"

Jang Je-won Served as Chief Spokesperson in 2017 under the 'Hong Jun-pyo Regime'
Hong Jun-pyo Also Publicly Mentioned 'Rejoining the Party'

Hong Jun-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, visited the Gyeonggi-do Suwon People Power Party Gyeonggi-do Provincial Committee on the morning of November 4 last year, held a meeting, and gave a greeting. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] When criticism arose over the sudden appointment of Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party who had been controversial as a so-called 'Yoon Core Associate' (key aide to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol), as Chief of Staff to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, fellow party member Hong Joon-pyo defended him by saying, "Don't hate him too much."

On the 13th, through the Q&A section of his online platform 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' (Youth's Dream), Hong responded to a supporter who criticized, "Due to issues like Jang Je-won's son and the 'Yoon Core Associate' controversy, public sentiment is unfavorable. It seems President-elect Yoon is appointing Jang as Chief of Staff to start off by taking criticism from the public," by saying, "Please don't hate him too much. Jang Je-won is often misunderstood but has his own strengths."

Previously, Jang served as chief spokesperson when Hong was the leader of the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) in 2017.

Jang also voiced support for Hong's return to the party after Hong had left during the April 2020 general election. At that time, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, and others opposed Hong's reinstatement citing party reform.

Regarding the reinstatement of independent lawmakers, Jang wrote on Facebook, "The party should not be run with narrow-minded leadership," and criticized, "Blocking the return of capable, proven leader-level lawmakers is treating the party as the exclusive property of the emergency committee." In response, Hong commented, "Still, I am truly grateful that Jang is stepping up."

Meanwhile, Hong recently announced his intention to run for mayor of Daegu. On the 10th, Hong posted on his online platform 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum,' saying, "After many twists and turns, regime change has been achieved. I will leave central politics to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and focus on grassroots efforts."

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