DPP spokesman Wang Min-sheng (right, CNA file photo)

Taipei, Sept. 6 (CNA) The main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was dismissive Sunday about remarks made by Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱), presidential candidate of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), following her days of "self-reflection," saying they were aimed more at others than herself.

Hung, after taking a break from campaign activities since Sept. 3, re-emerged into the public eye at a news conference in which she shared her thoughts during the break. She said that the country is "really sick" and that she hopes to bring the nation back onto the right path.

She also said that she has always thought of her rival in the Jan. 16, 2016 presidential election as being DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen(蔡英文), even though James Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP), is also in the race.

Soong, a former KMT heavyweight, set up the PFP after losing a bid for the presidency as an independent in 2000.

DPP spokesman Wang Min-sheng (王閔生) said that although "Hung said her words came after deep self-reflection, she has reflected more upon others than herself."

Hung has not reflected on the failures of the KMT over the past seven years or the pain it has brought to its people, and her remarks "leave a big gap between them and the public understanding and aspirations," Wang said.

Tsai, who has enjoyed a comfortable lead in public opinion polls so far, said that she respects Hung's thoughts and strategy for the election campaign.

She also said that her own campaign will follow its set pace.

Soong's office, meanwhile, said that it "detects no substantive changes" after Hung's break.

The KMT is the ruling party, and if its failures can be redressed now, it should be carried out immediately, the office said.

(By Lu Hsin-hui, Liao Jen-kao , Tai Ya-chen and Lilian Wu)
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