Hong Joon-pyo, former presidential candidate of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP), has returned to politics after a brief stay in the U.S. with his trademark outbursts.
During the election campaign, the former South Gyeongsang Province governor said that he would not seek to take leadership of the LKP should he lose the presidential race. But he went back on his word by announcing his bid for the main opposition’s leadership Sunday. The LKP will choose a new leader during the July 3 party convention.
During a press conference, Hong triggered controversy by making some distasteful claims against Hong Seok-hyun, former chairman of the JoongAng Media Group which owns the cable channel JTBC and a prominent local daily, the JoongAng Ilbo. He is also the uncle of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who has been detained on bribery charges.
The former presidential candidate mocked the media mogul, insinuating that Hong devoted his newspaper and TV station for the election of President Moon Jae-in and had his nephew arrested, but only succeeded at getting the job of a “special adviser” to the president on unification, foreign affairs and security.
The remark shows Hong’s distorted view of the media and disrespect of the law. The responsible thing to do is to apologize and withdraw such a ridiculous accusation. Otherwise, the paper should take legal action against the former governor. His remark is an affront to all journalists who have been performing their jobs in an impartial manner. Hong later denied that his remark targeted the former JoongAng Media Group chairman. As a loser in the presidential race, Hong’s bid for the party leadership will not be seen favorably by voters.
People want someone with an innovative strategy for rebuilding the party and restoring the people’s faith in conservative politics. He does not have the qualities required for this job. The LKP’s approval rating remains low at around 10 percent. A party led by an irresponsible, haughty politician like Hong will only run into more disasters in future elections.