Defeating front-runner and former chair of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, in the upcoming June 3 presidential election has been mentioned by several presidential aspirants vying for the conservative People Power Party’s nomination, as a common goal on Thursday.
Lee’s name was mentioned multiple times during the party’s televised press event, which involved eight candidates who received stamps of approval from the party’s election management committee, the previous day, to proceed to the next round of its primary.
Former People Power Party interim leader and ex-Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon promoted himself to the press and the public as “the sole candidate who can confidently take on Lee Jae-myung.” He claimed a liberal administration led by Lee would be a “monster administration,” while highlighting his pledges centered on catering to the country’s middle class.
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo said that the voters now face a decision to make a choice between an administration led by him if elected, or send the country spiraling into “corruption and immorality.”
“It’s been 20 years since the country has fallen into conflicts between the rival parties, the conservative and the progressive and the left and the right — we must now make this country normal by becoming one,” Hong said.
“I ask the people if they choose a Hong Joon-pyo administration or a Lee Jae-myung administration, with the option of choosing one of the two, for the upcoming presidential election. I ask if they choose to take a path towards a country full of corruption and immorality or a country where justice flows like a river," according to him.
People Power Party Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo pointed to the criminal charges against Lee and vowed to defeat him in the elections. Lee is currently facing five different criminal trials on charges including corruption.
Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo pledged to prevent a government under Lee’s “dictatorship,” which he claims is the form of leadership that the ex-main opposition leader would adopt if he becomes president.
People Power Party Rep. Na Kyung-won seemed to indirectly criticize Lee, saying, “I am sorry. I failed to protect (the government). However, our desperate cry to protect the rule of law and the free Republic of Korea has still not been defeated.”
During Thursday’s event, the eight People Power Party presidential hopefuls were divided into two groups for an upcoming televised debate scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The first group consisting of former Kim Moon-soo, Rep. Ahn, former lawmaker Yang and Yoo will address the topic of “the future of Korea’s youth during the first round of debate on Saturday. The second team involving Rep. Na, Han, Hong and North Gyeongsang Gov. Lee will touch on the topic of “unity in society.”
A public survey is also set for Monday and Tuesday. The survey results will be a major factor in selecting four candidates to advance to the second primary round. The party plans to finalize its nomination on May 3 during its scheduled party convention.
mkjung@heraldcorp.com
