Hong Joon-pyo, presidential nominee for Liberty Korea Party running in South Korea's 2017
presidential election, thank you for squeezing time out of your busy campaigning schedule.
You've been a politician for over two decades now.
Why is it now that you're running for the presidency?
Why not before?
Why do you feel ready for the top office now?
The Republic of Korea is currently in total chaos;
from politics, economy, society, culture,
and diplomacy to national defense.
In order to restore stability and lead the nation forward, we need strong
leadership.
The times call for a president with strong determination
and conviction.
This is the reason I am running for President.
From an objective point of you, you're not running an easy race here.
For a whole host of reasons in this nation at the moment, polls show it is very likely
that the country will elect a left-wing president in May 9.
You are - most would agree with me - You are the most conservative candidate in this year's
race.
Are you confident that you will win?
South Korea has a relatively shorter history of party politics compared to the United States.
Political parties in South Korea generally last no longer than five years;
a government turnover defines a change in leadership, not a change of political
parties.
When there was a power transfer from the Lee Myung-bak to Park Geun-hye administration,
Park government wasn't acting as the second Lee administration.
It was a completely new government.
In that vein, the new Hong Joon-pyo government will be an entirely different administration
from that of Park's.
Therefore, a government turnover in South Korea
is equivalent to a change in leadership.
The Korean peninsula at the moment is under international radar.
There's been a rapid escalation of tensions in this part of the world.
Continuous provocations by the North Korean regime.
What is your policy vis-a-vis Pyongyang?
For the past 20 years, South Korea has been committed to resolving
inter-Korean tensions through diplomacy
such as the six-party denuclearization talks.
There hasn't been any progress.
During the 20 years of South Korea's diplomatic efforts,
North Korea was focused on developing nuclear weapons.
The amount of money sent to North Korea
over the ten years of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moon-hyun administrations tops US$
7 billion.
That funding support came back as nuclear weapons.
North Korea's nuclear ambitions can no longer be tolerated.
When I become the president, I will consult with the U.S.
in deploying tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea to strike a nuclear balance
between the two Koreas.
There is no other way to gain dominance over nuclear weapons but with nuclear weapons.
I will set up a Naval Special Warfare Command and lead a South, North Korea Armed Peace
Policy through military might and power dominance.
On the diplomatic front - South Korea not in the best situation currently.
There is a new president in the White House - very different from the last president with
a seemingly different approach to the North Korea issue.
There is China to the north, in a clash of interest with South Korea.
How would you best situate yourself so that South Korea puts the best foot forward in
this complex relationship?
There is Donald Trump in the U.S., Xi Jinping in China, and Shinzo Abe in Japan.
It's an era of 'strongmen.'
In order to negotiate and work with them, South Korea also needs a 'strongman' from
a right-wing government.
I have no doubt that I am the only candidate with strong enough conviction and viewpoint
on national security to lead this country.
Only those with resolution and determination like myself can negotiate with these 'strongmen.'
I have no doubt that I am the only one who can take on that task.
Why do you describe yourself as a 'strongman'?
Because that's how I've been for the last 22 years; as a prosecutor, as a politician.
There is no one like Hong Joon-pyo when it comes to execution.
Economic growth and jobs.
I think it's an issue that comes up every election season and not only here but all
across the globe.
Do you have a blueprint for Asia's fourth-largest economy?
The reason behind Korea's low economic growth and shortage of jobs for the youths stands
powerful and noble labor unions.
These mega-powerful noble labor unions that make up less than 3% of the entire labor force
discourage corporate investments and drive Korean firms overseas.
If I come to power, I will carry out a thorough reform of these superpower noble labor unions.
As long as we can take care of those superpower noble labor unions that disturb Korea's labor
market, prevent foreign investment, and drive Korean companies overseas, Korea can grow
again and jobs will begin to flourish.
Politicians have been too mindful of these superpower noble labor unions, thus far.
When I was Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, I faced off these unions for three whole years.
It was sparked by our provincial government's decision to close down a debt-ridden public
hospital.
In the end, I got my way over theirs.
I, Hong Joon-pyo, am the only person who's faced these unions and won.
You are running under the slogan "Proud ordinary president."
What does that mean?
I want to build a country where the middle-class, the ordinary Korean people that make up 70%
of the entire population can live with hope, realizing their dreams.
I've endured tough times growing up and even up until this day.
But, I pulled through all on my own; I've never been swayed by political factions and
never by anything when I served as prosecutor.
Should I be elected president, I want to create a country where the younger generation can
live with hope and dream; I want to create a country for the 70% of the Korean population:
The middle class, the average, ordinary people.
Now, my final question - a common question to all candidates.
What is your edge over others?
Why does the Republic of Korea need Hong Joon-pyo as president in 2017?
First of all, the country needs a president who places absolute priority on security.
Inter-Korean tensions are high and there is flaring tensions between North Korea and the
U.S.
This is just as bad as it gets.
We need a president who can deter North Korea's nuclear weapons; one who can dominate North
Korea.
It will be tragic for the next generation if we elect a president who compromises with
the North and send dollars across the border.
The times call for a strong, powerful president who can protect the lives of the 50-million
strong population here.
For these reasons, there is no one else but Hong Joon-pyo for the job.
I will do my absolute best to become the president so that I can create a country where the lives
and assets of the 50 million South Koreans are protected; where the middle-class, the
average, ordinary people, and the younger generation can live with hope and dream about
the future.
Best of luck to you, Hong Joon-pyo and thank you for this interview.
We appreciate it.