Calls Within the Party for Hwang Kyo-ik's Decision... Hwang Says "Lee Nak-yeon Must Apologize First"

by Oh Jooyean

Published 19 Aug.2021 11:23(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The ‘Hwang Kyo-ik controversy’ is shaking up the preliminary presidential primary race of the Democratic Party of Korea. Voices urging Hwang Kyo-ik to make a decision are emerging even within the Democratic Party, unable to tolerate the exchange of harsh remarks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 19th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min said on KBS Radio’s 'Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs,' "(Hwang) is a person recommended by the camp of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung," adding, "The Lee camp should properly handle this." Kim is also one of the 20 pro-Moon lawmakers who proposed the ‘Basic Income Final Debate’ on the 16th. When columnist Hwang was appointed as the president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, criticism arose that it was a ‘favor appointment’ by Lee. When Lee’s former representative’s side criticized somewhat emotionally, Hwang responded with harsh words such as "I will cut off the political life of the former representative."

Yoon Gun-young, a lawmaker known as President Moon Jae-in’s close aide, also described the internal party conflict surrounding Hwang as "distasteful." On MBC Radio’s 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus,' he said, "I hope it stops regardless of the reason," and added, "Even if there is fighting during the presidential race, the line should not be crossed."

However, Hwang also responded firmly for the second day. On YTN Radio’s 'Hwang Bo-sun’s Start Morning,' he said, "The person who first made the harsh remarks should apologize first, then I will apologize."

The series of controversies is flowing in a direction that increases the burden on Lee’s camp. Consequently, even lawmaker Ahn Min-seok, the head of the camp’s special advisory group, demanded that Hwang resign from his position as the appointed president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. Ahn appeared on BBS Radio and said, "This is a huge burden on candidate Lee Jae-myung and seems like an unexpected major adverse factor. I urge him to make a decisive decision."