Hong Jun-pyo Targets Yoon Seok-yeol, Saying "Thick-Faced and Dark-Hearted"

Hong Jun-pyo giving a greeting
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, expressed his frustrated feelings.

On the 21st, Hong posted a message titled "日暮途遠 (Ilmodowon - The sun sets and the road ahead is long)" on the bulletin board of the political platform he created, 'Cheongnyeonui Kkum' (Youth's Dream). In the post, Hong began by saying, "One of my classmates walked on white snow to the afterlife."

Hong wrote, "Such a kind and generous friend could not overcome a chronic illness and left for the afterlife alone, dragging his painful leg in a lonely hospital bed where visits were not allowed due to COVID-19." He continued, "Now, I have much less time left to live than the days I have already lived," and concluded, "Death is said to come like a cool breeze on a midsummer night. The road ahead is long, and the sun is setting."

Some interpreted that the post reflected the situation surrounding Hong, presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol of the People Power Party, and the party itself. Recently, Hong was offered a position as a standing advisor to Yoon's election campaign headquarters, but the offer fell through due to conflicts over strategic nominations in Seoul Jongno and Daegu Jungnang-gu.

A post by Hong Jun-pyo, a member of the People Power Party.
[Photo by Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum bulletin board capture]

Earlier, when a bulletin board user asked, "Isn't it hard to operate on the cancerous lumps sticking next to someone?" Hong replied, "Every party has people like that." The day before, in response to a post saying, "When I hear 'shameless,' Yoon comes to mind first," he answered, "面厚心黑 (Mianhou Xinhui - Thick-faced and black-hearted), a Chinese imperial study."

Previously, Hong had used the same expression to criticize Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, over the so-called Daejang-dong scandal and the controversy surrounding his sister-in-law's verbal abuse. Hong also expressed disappointment by saying "He comes and goes" in response to a post alleging that Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, was slandering him.