Hong Joon-pyo and Ahn Cheol-soo Meet in Daegu: "Government and Ruling Party Operate with an Abnormal Structure"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo and People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo met on the 21st to have a candid conversation about current party issues and agreed that "the party needs to be normalized quickly."

The two met at the Sanggyeok Office of Daegu City Hall and talked for about 30 minutes regarding party matters.

Mayor Hong said, "It is the first time in Korean political history that a party leader has been disciplined, and it is also the first time that a disciplined party leader goes outside and harshly attacks the party," adding, "Because the government and ruling party are operating in an abnormal structure, the approval ratings are not recovering."

He said, "How can the party be run like this? I hope the party normalizes quickly," to which Lawmaker Ahn responded, "I feel the same way," adding, "I just made one comment at the end of last month and have stayed quiet since then."

Mayor Hong warned against the 'judicialization of politics,' emphasizing, "Struggling in a mocking political environment where one or two sarcastic remarks are thrown daily, and dragging every issue to the courts to resolve them through the judiciary is not politics," and Lawmaker Ahn also expressed regret, saying, "These are political issues that should be resolved politically, and taking them to court itself is wrong."

However, their views on resolving the party crisis differed. Lawmaker Ahn said, "It is time for Floor Leader Joo Ho-young and Emergency Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok to demonstrate their political skills," and added, "They must make every effort to persuade former leader Lee Jun-seok to withdraw the injunction." On the other hand, Mayor Hong said, "There are more than just one or two injunctions now," and "One of the two must die."

Mayor Hong also requested the prompt passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport Special Act, saying, "There is considerable support in Daegu and Gyeongbuk." Lawmaker Ahn responded, "I will lend my support."

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