Hong Jun-pyo Launches 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' Site... 20-30s Youth Gather
"I Miss You", "Tears Flow" and Other Encouraging Messages for Rep. Hong Continue
Former People Power Party presidential primary candidate Hong Jun-pyo announced the "Major Shift in Welfare for the Common People" pledge on the morning of October 28 at the JP Hope Camp in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "If he runs again, I will definitely vote for him.", "Let's watch the MuyaHong video again.", "Let's gather at Cheongnyeonui Kkum (Youth's Dream)"
Among young people in their 20s and 30s, messages supporting Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, are spreading through online communities. Young people emphasize their support through comments on articles related to Hong or on YouTube videos he appeared in. On the 14th, Hong unveiled the youth platform 'Cheongnyeonui Kkum' and began rallying the 20s and 30s generation.
On the same day, the YouTube video titled "SNL Korea Reporter Visits Hong Joon-pyo, People Power Party Presidential Primary Candidate," featuring Hong, received encouraging comments such as "I miss Hongka... Please come out soon, anywhere, please," "Is 1.61 million views for real?? MuyaHong ㅠㅜ," and "I already miss him, it makes me cry."
This movement among young people is closely related to Hong's approval ratings among the 20-30 age group. On the 5th, Hong was not nominated as the presidential candidate at the People Power Party convention. Combining 50% party member votes and 50% general public opinion polls, Hong received 41.50% of the votes, losing to candidate Yoon who received 47.85%.
However, in the general public opinion poll, Hong received 48.21%, beating former Prime Minister Yoon who had 37.94% by more than 10 percentage points. In the party member vote, Hong only got 34.80%, far behind Yoon's 57.77%. Notably, Hong received strong support from the 20-30 generation in various polls.
Young people not only voiced support at the campaign disbandment ceremony but also strongly criticized the People Power Party. On the 8th, about 300 people including former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, campaign staff, and supporters gathered at Hong's campaign disbandment ceremony. Young people in their 20s and 30s also gathered, shouting "Hong Joon-pyo, fighting" to show their support.
Following this, many posts criticizing the People Power Party appeared on the party's website bulletin board, with titles like "Party of the Elderly," "Party of Old Customs," and "Back to the Korean Party." The claim is that the 20-30 generation-supported Hong was eliminated because the elderly in their 50s and 60s overwhelmingly supported candidate Yoon in the party member vote.
People Power Party lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo unveiled the youth platform 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' on the 14th. Photo by the website screenshot
Meanwhile, on the 14th, Hong launched a website named 'Cheongnyeonui Kkum' (Youth's Dream). The introduction states, "According to the UN, in the 100-year life era, youth is defined as up to 65 years old," and "Young people who have lost their dreams and hopes, let's gather here. If we unite, we can change Korea."
There is also a 'Cheongmun Hongdap' (Youth Questions, Hong Answers) board where Hong personally answers youth questions under the ID 'Junpyo-hyung.' Over 300 questions have been posted, including "How can young people enter politics?"
Earlier, after losing the presidential primary, Hong stated on his Facebook on the 12th, "I am launching the youth platform 'Cheongnyeonui Kkum' and will continue updating it to create a playground where young people can share dreams and hopes."
He said, "I will only enter the youth counseling corner on the platform to counsel young people's futures, and the rest will be a space for free enjoyment regardless of political affiliation."
Meanwhile, Hong is showing a stance of checking candidate Yoon. On the previous day, he posted on SNS, "All major candidates from both parties are involved in serious crimes, but forcing the public to choose without any truth verification is truly a cruel presidential election," and urged, "Accept the double special investigation proposed by party leader Lee Jun-seok promptly."
Hong added, "Preliminary investigations have already been conducted on both cases, so the substantive truth will be revealed by the end of the year at the latest," and said, "If you are confident, both should accept it willingly. Otherwise, it becomes The bad The ugly."
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