Hong Joon-pyo Defends People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk, Criticizes Media Cartel

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo defended People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk on the 20th, criticizing the instigation of a 'nepotistic media cartel' aimed at promoting a specific individual. Hong assessed, "Although leader Jang does many things that make the media dislike him and is inexperienced, the party is being maintained because he is enduring it with tenacity."

Via Facebook that day, Hong drew a line regarding public opinion criticizing him, explaining, "I am now a person retired from real politics. I merely express my thoughts freely in writing like the wind, host YouTube broadcasts, or occasionally appear on television."

Earlier, on the 18th, Hong had also criticized senior and junior lawmakers who were trying to shake things up, evaluating that Jang Dong-hyuk, despite being a 'first-and-a-half generation' politician, succeeded in becoming leader of a devastated party and achieved results under difficult conditions. Furthermore, Hong requested that he not be made the subject of criticism, emphasizing that he had served the conservative party for 30 years and attained his positions through his own efforts without factional help.

Hong's latest remarks are being interpreted as him revealing his presence as an 'outsider' to the party's situation, by defending leader Jang Dong-hyuk and criticizing the media amidst escalating internal conflict within the People Power Party over its leadership and direction for reform.