Hong Jun-pyo "Party Hampered by Jeon Kwang-hoon?" vs Kim Ki-hyun "Focus on Local Administration"

On the 3rd, Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, said to Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, "This is not a party whose ankles are caught by Pastor Jeon (Gwang-hoon), yet you recklessly spew insults and cannot say a word to him, but instead scolded me to just focus on local affairs," adding, "It's truly absurd."

On the same day, Mayor Hong wrote on Facebook, "I am not just the Mayor of Daegu, but the only current senior advisor of the party who has served twice as party leader and has set the party straight," and said, "I have the authority and responsibility to be involved in central politics."

Mayor Hong then sarcastically told Leader Kim, "Since you praised yourself as the prophet Isaiah, try doing well under him," and added, "You might even consider renaming the party to the Liberty Unification Party."

This was a criticism of Kim's mention of the verbal exchange between Pastor Jeon and Mayor Hong earlier that morning. After the Supreme Council meeting, Kim responded to reporters' questions by saying, "It is not a matter for a third party (Pastor Jeon) to meddle with our party's nomination rights, but I hope those in charge of local government administration focus solely on that work."

This points to criticism that Pastor Jeon, who is not a member of the People Power Party, mentioning nominations and Mayor Hong, who is in charge of Daegu's local administration, intervening in political matters is inappropriate.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Earlier that morning, Mayor Hong also argued that a clear boundary should be drawn with Pastor Jeon regarding the stagnation of the People Power Party's approval ratings.

Mayor Hong posted on his Facebook, "Usually, when a new leadership takes office, the party's approval rating surges due to the convention effect, but is our party analyzing why the approval rating is plummeting instead?" and pointed out, "The Democratic Party of Korea's leader is embroiled in corruption and the party has become a party of lies, yet their approval rating is soaring."

He added, "If you do not show conviction, determination, and firmness without wavering, it will be difficult for the party to get out of the quagmire," and said, "I will be watching."

On the 1st, Mayor Hong also criticized Pastor Jeon, saying, "It is truly regrettable that a pastor, who should act like a pastor, constantly uses foul language, loses self-control, and recklessly utters harsh words," and added, "It is absolutely unacceptable for a political party to be swayed by a single external pastor, and if this is not cut off, that party will be abandoned by the people."

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