Return of Defectors Sparks Conflict Between Joo and Hong Again

Joo Ho-young "Difficult to Rejoin Party Before April Next Year" Negative Stance
Hong Joon-pyo Sharpening Criticism Daily... "Ungrateful" "Step Down Now"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] The issue of independent lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo's return to the People Power Party has resurfaced. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, publicly expressed a negative stance on Hong's return before the by-election in April next year. Hong openly showed displeasure, even using the term "ingratitude."

On the 4th, Hong targeted Floor Leader Joo through his Facebook. He criticized Joo for failing to stop the Democratic Party's forced passage of legislation, saying, "If you are not capable, step down now." He also sharpened his words, calling him a "helpless opposition floor leader watching from across the river" and urged, "Stop ruining the party any further."

Earlier, Floor Leader Joo had expressed reluctance about Hong's return in a media interview, saying it would be "difficult for a considerable period." He cited reasons such as many opposing lawmakers, high unfavorable ratings among women in their 30s and 40s and white-collar workers, and concerns that Hong's return could lead to party division. He also mentioned that showing division ahead of the Seoul mayoral election would be problematic. This is the first time Floor Leader Joo has publicly criticized Hong's return. Hong's "targeted post" on the same day appears to be an extension of his dissatisfaction with this.

Hong also expressed displeasure on his Facebook the day before. He said, "From what I hear, except for two or three lawmakers from Busan and one from Chungcheong, no one explicitly opposes my return, and people in their 30s and 40s dislike the People Power Party, not Hong Jun-pyo." He added, "I find it hard to understand the bizarre logic of wanting to hold the Seoul mayoral election while being divided."

He further said, "Perhaps they want me to return only after next year's party convention because if I return now, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region's representation would be lost, which might affect their own bid for party leadership next year. This seems like a shallow trick." He criticized, "For someone who has left and returned twice, this is a ridiculous claim." Hong also added, "I had mistakenly believed that Floor Leader Joo would take the lead in resolving the return issue out of human decency."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During the floor leader election in May, Floor Leader Joo had expressed support for former leader Hong's return, saying, "Principally, I think a quick return is desirable." They are contemporaries from the Judicial Research and Training Institute and have worked together as floor leader and chief deputy floor leader during the era of the Grand National Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party). Hong revealed their close relationship, saying, "I have been on friendly terms with Joo for 30 years." In May, Hong visited the funeral hall for Joo's father to pay respects, and Joo took care of Hong like a party member during the National Assembly audit.

However, as conflicts between Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in and Hong became prominent, Floor Leader Joo had been cautious about commenting on the return issue. His public reluctance seems to reflect the party's internal opinion. While some senior lawmakers in the People Power Party have consistently demanded Hong's return, concerns among first- and second-term lawmakers are also significant.

There is no disagreement that they will eventually unite on the same field ahead of the 2022 presidential election, but most lawmakers are looking at the timing after the Seoul mayoral election in April next year. Winning the Seoul mayoral election next April requires winning the hearts of moderate voters, and there is concern about Hong's rough image. A party official said, "Hong's return will likely be left to the next party leadership," adding, "His return may be delayed further, but it is only a matter of time."