Lee Seong-hyun accuses Suh Young-kyo of reversing course on Hou You-yi

Lee Seong-hyun says Suh Young-kyo has made a 180-degree turn on New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi, moving from sharp criticism to a campaign strategy that emphasizes respect for him.

Lee, the Kuomintang candidate for New Taipei mayor, made the accusation at a tourism policy briefing on the first day of the month. Reporters asked about Suh's earlier criticism that Hou's administration lacked standout achievements. Hou had responded in the city council that “the public will judge for itself.”

Suh has recently praised New Taipei's progress over the past decade and adopted what has been described as a “Respect Hou” strategy. Lee asked whether she now intended to respect both Hou and Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu. He said Suh had criticized Hou extensively before the election, including by saying his administration had no notable achievements, and that only Suh could explain the change.

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the public will judge for itself

The contest appears close. A new poll gave Suh 35.2% support and Lee 34.7%, marking Suh's first lead over Lee compared with surveys conducted in March and April. An interpretation of the polling said the effect of a possible blue-white alliance was declining, with two parties effectively adding up to one. Lee said he would consider all polls and would join forces with “all good friends from different parties” to win the year-end election.

Lee also criticized Suh's camp over an episode involving a person using a computer on a metro platform. Camp members allegedly suggested the person was a Chinese spy, but the claim later proved mistaken and no apology followed. Lee called for restraint, saying political campaigns should not publicly target innocent people.

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all good friends from different parties