Hong Moon-pyo "Did Not Attend Liberation Day Rally... Distorted Reporting"

"No one met and I don't even know Jeon Gwang-hoon"
"Went to the health center for a COVID-19 test but couldn't get tested"

Hong Moon-pyo, a member of the United Future Party, is speaking at the Emergency Measures Committee-Senior Lawmakers Joint Meeting held at the National Assembly last June. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Hong Moonpyo, a member of the United Future Party, claimed that reports stating he participated in the 'August 15 Liberation Day Anti-Moon Jae-in Government Rally' on the 15th were 'false reports.'

On the 20th, Hong appeared on TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and explained, "On the 15th, a few people from my constituency contacted me saying they were unfamiliar with Seoul's geography, so we met at an easily accessible location behind the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue in Gwanghwamun." He added, "I met with them to discuss flood damage in our area and other matters, and after about 4 to 5 minutes, I left because I had another appointment. That was all."

He continued, "Reports have been distorted as if I attended the rally," and added, "I never met anyone from the rally organizers, and I don't even know Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church."

Regarding the relationship between Pastor Jeon and the United Future Party, he said, "Former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn publicly attended Pastor Jeon's rallies in the past, so there was a connection then," but emphasized, "Currently, there is no relationship with Pastor Jeon's rally side."

Earlier, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned Hong during a party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th, stating that the United Future Party had a role in condoning the Liberation Day rally.

Kim said, "We urge the United Future Party to take responsible measures regarding Hong Moonpyo, Kim Jin-tae, and Min Kyung-wook, who attended the Gwanghwamun rally," and stressed, "Those within the party who protected Pastor Jeon must be held strictly accountable."

In response, Hong said, "What I find more pathetic is that the floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party recklessly says (that I attended the rally), which makes the media write with more certainty," and rebutted, "This kind of political trickery should not be used. There should be limits; this is like catching an innocent person."

Regarding why he underwent a COVID-19 test despite not attending the rally, he explained, "Because of rumors from the surroundings and the media, I went," adding, "I went to the Gwangjin District Public Health Center for testing, but the doctor said I was not a test subject, so I did not get tested. I have no plans to get tested again at a general hospital."

Meanwhile, it was reported that on the 15th, when the Liberation Day rally was held in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Hong met with residents from his constituency who had come to the capital near the rally site. At the time, he claimed it was to encourage 'three residents from the constituency.'

A photo taken on the 15th of Kim Heon-su, a Hongseong County councilor affiliated with the United Future Party, and local residents together with Hong Moon-pyo, a United Future Party member of the National Assembly. Councilor Kim posted the photo on his Facebook page that day but has deleted it as of the 20th. / Photo by Facebook capture

However, a photo posted on Facebook by Kim Heonsu, a fellow party member and Hongseong County assemblyman, captured five people, including Kim, standing together with Hong, sparking controversy.

Additionally, a KakaoTalk message from Kim leaked, stating, "23 people from Hongseong took a bus to Gwanghwamun. During the rally, Hong brought hamburgers as encouragement."

As the controversy grew, the photo has since been deleted from Kim's Facebook.

Hong's side explained the photo by saying, "It was a misunderstanding due to confusion." Regarding the message about buying hamburgers for the residents, they said, "Kim tried to show off his friendship with Hong for appearances but ended up telling something untrue."