Ha Taekyung Targets Hong Joonpyo: "Who Was It That Chose the Path of 'Party Dies, I Live'?"

"Refusing to Run in Seoul and Leaving the Party as an Independent Means Prioritizing Personal Survival Over the Party's Fate"
"Jeong Cheongrae Calls Me 'Weak,' but Seems Uncomfortable"

Ha Taekyung, a three-term lawmaker from the People Power Party who recently announced his intention to run in Seoul instead of his current constituency in Haeundae, responded to criticism from Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo by asking, "Who was it that chose the path of 'Party dies, I live'?" He argued that in the past, Mayor Hong's decision to refuse a run in Seoul and leave the party to run as an independent was an act of 'Party dies, I live' (Dangsaasaeng·黨死我生), meaning he prioritized his own survival over that of the party.

On October 11, during an appearance on SBS's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show,' Ha stated, "This is not 'Party dies, I live,' but rather 'Party lives, I live' (Dangsaengasaeng), which is a win-win path for both the party and myself."

Ha Taekyung, chairman of the People Power Party's TF for the investigation of the Fisheries Ministry official shooting incident, is announcing the investigation results at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

After Ha announced his intention to run in Seoul, considered a challenging district, Mayor Hong dismissed the move, saying, "He is just looking out for his own survival." In response, Chun Haram, head of the People Power Party's Suncheon Gap district committee, criticized Hong for "dismissing others out of personal feelings." Hong then took to his social media, lashing out at both Chun and Ha, saying, "Those who are not even qualified are being cheeky."

Addressing this, Ha said, "It's not entirely wrong to say I'm looking out for my own survival, but that's only half true. For example, if someone refuses to run in Seoul, leaves the party, and runs as an independent, that is truly looking out only for oneself, regardless of what happens to the party. My choice, however, is an effort to find a path where both the party and I can survive, not to abandon the party for my own gain."

The example he cited clearly alludes to Mayor Hong's past decision to reject the party's request to run in Seoul, leave the party, and win election in Daegu as an independent. In effect, Ha is pointing out that Hong prioritized his own survival over the party's. Ha further criticized Hong's past choice, saying, "When someone refuses to run in Seoul, leaves the party, and runs as an independent, instead of securing two seats (one in Seoul and one in Daegu), only one seat is won. In Daegu, even if it's not our party's candidate, it would still be someone from our party."

Within political circles, there is speculation about which Seoul district Ha will choose for his candidacy, with Gwanak-eul and Mapo-eul being mentioned. Ha commented, "There are so many places inviting me," but added, "If I specify a district, the current district committee chair or other local figures may become anxious, so it's difficult to name a specific area at this time."

He continued, "There's a half-joking, half-serious rumor circulating in the National Assembly that our party members are telling Democratic Party lawmakers, 'Don't act up. If you misbehave, we'll send Ha Taekyung to your district,'" adding, "I plan to consult with the party and make an announcement without delay."

Jeong Cheongrae, the incumbent Democratic Party lawmaker representing Mapo-eul, commented that Ha is "a weak opponent." Ha responded, "I think Representative Jeong feels uneasy. Perhaps he is expressing his discomfort in a roundabout way."

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