Hong Joon-pyo openly backs ruling-party’s Kim Boo-kyum; Jin Jong-oh lashes out, calling him a "senile politician"

[The Financial News] Hong Joon-pyo, former Mayor of Daegu, has announced that he supports Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as the next Mayor of Daegu.
Hong, who left the People Power Party (PPP) and declared his retirement from politics, wrote on his Social Networking Service (SNS) account on the 2nd, "I hope the next Mayor of Daegu will be competent and able to work things out with the central government," adding, "I am not supporting the Democratic Party, I am supporting Kim Boo-kyum."
He argued, "Because Daegu votes blindly, the Democratic Party government neither helps the city nor cares about it, treating it like an abandoned child," and went on, "If it is for Daegu’s benefit, we should look beyond party lines and choose a capable administrator rather than a mere career politician."
He also highlighted their long-standing ties, saying on SNS on the 25th of last month, "Back when we were both in the Grand National Party (GNP), former Prime Minister Kim and I were close enough to call each other like brothers, and that relationship has not changed even after he moved to the DPK."
He continued, "The notion that even a stick would win as long as it runs under the PPP banner is nothing more than a self-indulgent game played by politicians who do not understand how desperate the citizens of Daegu are," adding, "I sincerely hope former Prime Minister Kim will step forward."
His remarks have prompted a series of embarrassed reactions within the PPP.
Kim Dai-sik, a Member of the National Assembly who heads the special advisory group to party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, appeared on SBS Radio and was asked whether Hong was effectively throwing his support behind former Prime Minister Kim. Kim responded, "He served our party twice as party leader, as floor leader, as a five-term Member of the National Assembly, and even as a presidential candidate. I can’t imagine he would go that far."
Jin Jong-oh, a lawmaker from the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction within the People Power Party, wrote on his SNS, "This shows the miserable end of a senile politician. Just because the People Power Party didn’t make him a presidential candidate, he is now lashing out with a grudge without rhyme or reason," and added, "As you yourself said, please, just retire from politics for good."
Joo Ho-young also said on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) the same day, "There will not be a situation where someone who served as mayor under our party’s name ends up helping the Democratic Party."
moon@fnnews.com Reporter Moon Young-jin Reporter