Park Geun-hye followers likened to 'cockroaches'

By Choi Ha-young

Hong Joon-pyo

Hong Joon-pyo, former presidential candidate of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP), harshly criticized LKP lawmakers affiliated with the ousted President Park Geun-hye, Wednesday, describing them as “cockroaches.”

Hong’s condemnation came after some pro-Park lawmakers revealed their intention to seek the leadership of the main opposition party. Hong himself has indicated that he may join the leadership race despite a pending bribery trial at the Supreme Court.

“It’s so contemptible to see what the Park loyalists are doing. They were unseen like cockroaches in the darkness when she was impeached, and now creeping out to regain party control,” Hong, who is now staying in the United States, said on Facebook.

Rep. Hong Moon-jong, one of the pro-Park lawmakers, fired back.

“He is certainly out of his mind. Hong speaks like a drunk man,” the lawmaker said in a party meeting.

The clash between Hong and the pro-Park faction indicates that factional infighting may escalate inside the LKP. The party is expected to hold a convention as early as July to elect its new leader.

During the presidential race, Hong embraced the pro-Park faction, despite criticism that they were responsible for the ex-president’s influence-peddling and corruption scandal. He even helped them regain their party membership.

It was the then-candidate’s strategic choice to join hands with the majority of the LKP, in a bid to integrate the scandal-ridden party and unite conservative voters. By coming in second with support of 24.03 percent in the May 9 poll, pundits expected that the anti-Park politician would eye the next leadership of the main opposition party, even though it was likely to bring about another factional dispute.

Hong’s tough words against the pro-Park faction is a response to loyalists to the former president ― Reps. Kim Jin-tae, Kim Tae-heum, Yi Wan-young, Lee Jang-woo ― who reportedly have called for a reshuffle of the party leadership to regain their dominance. Hong also urged it, looking forward to his leading role in the reorganization.

“While all parties are renewing themselves with fresh blood, pro-Park lawmakers have gathered and are seeking to rebuild their faction,” he said, Wednesday.

In the face of the plummeting support rate of the LKP, he further blasted the pro-Park faction. According to an opinion poll released Monday, the largest opposition party stood at 13 percent, down 4.5 percentage points compared to a week earlier.

“The LKP enjoyed growth of support rate during the election,” he said Monday, boasting his contribution to the party. “If old conservatives pull the strings in the party affairs, citizens cannot help but abandon the LKP.”

However, Hong’s efforts are unlikely to take effect, analyst said.

“Considering the lack of Hong supporters in the party, it would be difficult to reach the goal” political analyst Hwang Tae-soon said. “It is partly inevitable for the opposition party to stay divided and exchange barbs, like the Democratic Party of Korea did earlier.”

Further, Hong is facing a final trial, having been embroiled in a bribery scandal.

The tricky situation around Hong was palpable in the comment of Rep. Chung Woo-taik, floor leader of the party. “By convention, defeated presidential candidates retired from politics. At least, they stayed cautious,” Chung told reporters, Wednesday.

Amid the looming factional showdown, 43 rookie lawmakers there called for unity and ideological renovation of the party. “The LKP was defeated, since the young generation recognized the party as a far-right force,” one of them, Rep. Kim Sung-won said, Tuesday.

However, without detailed alternatives to solve this feud, their reformist voice would be difficult to gain influence, Hwang said.