Hong Joon-pyo, former mayor of Daegu, who announced his candidacy for the presidential election as a member of the People Power Party, said on the 15th, “Once our party candidate is born, we need to create a coalition against Lee Jae-myung centered on that person.”
Voices are growing that a ‘coalition against Lee Jae-myung big tent’ is necessary.
The big tent refers to a strategy where politically diverse forces unite to present a single candidate in elections.
Former Mayor Hong stated on SBS Radio that “not only the Reform Party but also the anti-Lee Jae-myung forces of the Democratic Party should work together to stop (candidate) Lee Jae-myung.”
Former Mayor Hong noted, “Now, right after the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, the public is leaning toward candidate Lee Jae-myung, so we cannot help but create an anti-Lee Jae-myung tent.” He added, “The unification of candidates is a matter that should be resolved politically, not through a primary.”
The day before officially declaring his presidential candidacy, former Mayor Hong emphasized, “The person who wins our primary must create a big tent that encompasses both conservatives and moderates to stop the Lee Jae-myung administration.”
Hong noted, “The left-right divide and the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties have made the country difficult. For 20 years, the conflict between conservatives and progressives has continued, culminating in an extreme clash during the state of emergency and impeachment.” He added, “If necessary, we can consider a coalition government and a new inclusive policy.”
He further stated, “During former President Roh Moo-hyun's time, I proposed a coalition government, but Representative Park Geun-hye rejected it. I view that as a mistake,” and asserted, “If a coalition government can be proposed and the country can be jointly operated, we should do it.”
In response to the question, “Are you saying you could share a cabinet with the Democratic Party if you're in power?” Hong replied, “If it’s for the country, I could do that,” adding, “There’s nothing that can’t be done to stabilize the country.”
Regarding his relationship with former President Yoon, Hong stated, “Each one can go their own way,” and mentioned, “Former President Yoon has many grievances, but I believe now is the time for restraint.”
He pointed out, “Former President Yoon came directly from being the Prosecutor General, so he was quite inexperienced in politics,” adding, “It feels like he has distanced himself from politics as he was the President for three years while being the Prosecutor General.”
Former Mayor Hong remarked that the calls from some lawmakers for Han Deok-soo, the acting Prime Minister, to run have “no value at all.”
He criticized, “If Acting Prime Minister Han runs, we will be heading towards a system under Choi Sang-mok, but will the public accept that? During former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment, there was chaos over the ‘Ban Ki-moon recruitment theory,’ but did that happen?”