LKP leader adamant to expel ex-President

Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo expressed support for the party’s decision to expel former President Park Geun-hye and two of her key loyalists after returning from a U.S. trip, Saturday.

On Saturday, Hong denounced Rep. Suh Chung-won, the de-facto leader of the pro-Park faction, for raising allegations against him, right after his arrival at Incheon International Airport. “How can an eight-term lawmaker be so childish? Just let him do whatever he wants,” he told reporters.

Rep. Suh earlier claimed that Hong asked a favor of him when he was being investigated over allegations of a bribery. In September last year, Hong was found guilty of taking money from the late businessman Sung Wan-jong. An appeals court acquitted him in February this year, but Hong is awaiting a final ruling from the Supreme Court after the prosecution filed an appeal against the ruling.

Hong has been forced into a corner by Rep. Lee Yong-ju of the People’s Party. Last week, Lee said the People’s Party has solid evidence that Hong pleaded with Suh to get Yoon Seung-mo, who is accused of delivering the bribe from Sung. Hong purportedly believed that Yoon was an aide to Suh, but the latter claimed he was an associate of Sung and closer to Hong.

Hong also lashed out at Lee. “If he continues such fabrications, he will be punished by heaven,” Hong added Sunday.

So far, Hong has claimed that he doesn’t know Sung at all. If the pro-Park lawmaker reveals tangible evidence in the Supreme Court to prove Hong’s guilt, the party chief is destined to see his political career ended.