This is the second in a series of interviews with presidential candidates. ― ED.
Liberty Party's candidate stresses need for US tactical nuclear weapons
By Choi Ha-young
Hong Joon-pyo, the presidential candidate of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP), called for an end to factional infighting so the party can prevail over liberals in the May 9 election.
He dismissed the idea of "purging" loyalists to former President Park Geun-hye, saying they were an integral part of the conservative party.
"They earned parliamentary seats through elections. They were chosen by the people," Hong said during a recent interview with The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo.
"How can I push for their resignations? How can I drive them away? That's beyond my authority. Let me know if you know how I can do that."
The South Gyeongsang Province governor used to be a vocal critic of the pro-Park faction. However, he appears to have opted to reconcile with them after winning the party's nomination over three of her loyalists, including Rep. Kim Jin-tae.
This is because the former ruling party had until recently been controlled by the pro-Park faction for years, and their influence is still palpable even after the corruption-ridden former president was removed from power in early March and later arrested and jailed.
Analysts say Hong, a prosecutor-turned-politician, has made a strategic choice to join with the Park loyalists as the election is only a month away.
After being nominated as the LKP candidate, Friday, he asked Rep. Kim to join his camp and help him campaign in Gangwon Province.
Hong's move to embrace the loyalist faction has been a source of contention with the Bareun Party, which was formed by lawmakers who broke away from the LKP over factional differences.
The Bareun Party's presidential nominee, Rep. Yoo Seong-min, said he was willing to discuss a unified candidacy with the LKP on the condition that the latter expels pro-Park lawmakers.
Even if the party is in a shambles, hit by the wide-ranging corruption scandal involving the ex-president and her associates, Hong is confident about winning the election.
"In the face of a crisis, party members chose me not backed by a faction but backed by political ability and power to make a breakthrough," he said.
He defined the Bareun Party as a "younger brother" who ran away from the "older brother's home."
"They defected from us due to friction caused by the impeachment. Now, the root cause of the conflict has been removed, so they should return right away," Hong said.
Emphasizing that the LKP is "home" to conservatives, the outspoken governor said he will appeal to voters in its stronghold ― Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.
"In the nation's electoral landscape, rightists account for 35 percent, while the liberals and leftists account for 25 percent. The remaining 40 percent are politically neutral. I think we will have 35 percent only after a month of fierce campaigning. Because of the liberals' division, Jeolla voters won't cast ballots overwhelmingly for one party," he said.
Hong calls himself a "strongman" who can stand against the tough-talking leaders of the United States, China, Japan, North Korea and Russia.
Regarding security issues, he said he prefers the U.S. plan to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea over deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter North Korea's missile threats.
Asked about possible regional tension the redeployment of such weapons may trigger, Hong said such concerns are overblown.
"There should be a balancing tool to counter a nuclear North Korea. Without this, we would be living under the North Korean nuclear threat forever, and offering cash to the Kim Jong-un regime for survival," he said. "In the old days, U.S. tactical nuclear weapons were against China and Russia, but this time, they'd be against North Korea."
Hong expects the May 9 election will be a duel between the left and right. In his view, the candlelit rallies that led to Park's ouster should be recognized as a leftist "coup" rather than a popular uprising.
"However, I think our democracy is now more mature than ever," he said. "Under a democratic system, there are always conflicts between the majority and minorities."
Hong said his goal is to prevent the left from seizing power.
"Leftists should not be allowed to govern the nation. I am really concerned about how leftist rule will change this country."
Liberty Party's candidate stresses need for US tactical nuclear weapons
By Choi Ha-young
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| Hong Joon-pyo |
He dismissed the idea of "purging" loyalists to former President Park Geun-hye, saying they were an integral part of the conservative party.
"They earned parliamentary seats through elections. They were chosen by the people," Hong said during a recent interview with The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo.
"How can I push for their resignations? How can I drive them away? That's beyond my authority. Let me know if you know how I can do that."
The South Gyeongsang Province governor used to be a vocal critic of the pro-Park faction. However, he appears to have opted to reconcile with them after winning the party's nomination over three of her loyalists, including Rep. Kim Jin-tae.
This is because the former ruling party had until recently been controlled by the pro-Park faction for years, and their influence is still palpable even after the corruption-ridden former president was removed from power in early March and later arrested and jailed.
Analysts say Hong, a prosecutor-turned-politician, has made a strategic choice to join with the Park loyalists as the election is only a month away.
After being nominated as the LKP candidate, Friday, he asked Rep. Kim to join his camp and help him campaign in Gangwon Province.
Hong's move to embrace the loyalist faction has been a source of contention with the Bareun Party, which was formed by lawmakers who broke away from the LKP over factional differences.
The Bareun Party's presidential nominee, Rep. Yoo Seong-min, said he was willing to discuss a unified candidacy with the LKP on the condition that the latter expels pro-Park lawmakers.
Even if the party is in a shambles, hit by the wide-ranging corruption scandal involving the ex-president and her associates, Hong is confident about winning the election.
"In the face of a crisis, party members chose me not backed by a faction but backed by political ability and power to make a breakthrough," he said.
He defined the Bareun Party as a "younger brother" who ran away from the "older brother's home."
"They defected from us due to friction caused by the impeachment. Now, the root cause of the conflict has been removed, so they should return right away," Hong said.
Emphasizing that the LKP is "home" to conservatives, the outspoken governor said he will appeal to voters in its stronghold ― Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.
"In the nation's electoral landscape, rightists account for 35 percent, while the liberals and leftists account for 25 percent. The remaining 40 percent are politically neutral. I think we will have 35 percent only after a month of fierce campaigning. Because of the liberals' division, Jeolla voters won't cast ballots overwhelmingly for one party," he said.
Hong calls himself a "strongman" who can stand against the tough-talking leaders of the United States, China, Japan, North Korea and Russia.
Regarding security issues, he said he prefers the U.S. plan to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea over deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter North Korea's missile threats.
Asked about possible regional tension the redeployment of such weapons may trigger, Hong said such concerns are overblown.
"There should be a balancing tool to counter a nuclear North Korea. Without this, we would be living under the North Korean nuclear threat forever, and offering cash to the Kim Jong-un regime for survival," he said. "In the old days, U.S. tactical nuclear weapons were against China and Russia, but this time, they'd be against North Korea."
Hong expects the May 9 election will be a duel between the left and right. In his view, the candlelit rallies that led to Park's ouster should be recognized as a leftist "coup" rather than a popular uprising.
"However, I think our democracy is now more mature than ever," he said. "Under a democratic system, there are always conflicts between the majority and minorities."
Hong said his goal is to prevent the left from seizing power.
"Leftists should not be allowed to govern the nation. I am really concerned about how leftist rule will change this country."
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