Hong Jun-pyo: "I can't leave on my own... I wish Yoon Hae-gwan would just expel me"

Hong Joon-pyo, People Power Party lawmaker / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, has been repeatedly expressing his frustration.

On the 23rd, Hong expressed this sentiment on the community he established called 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' (Youth's Dream). On that day, a post appeared on the Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum bulletin board stating, "There are fewer days left to live than the days I have lived, and seeing this situation, I too felt mixed emotions," and "In a political situation where we cannot see even an inch ahead, I am holding on to the thread of hope," from a supporter.

In response, Hong said, "As Kwon Young-se, the head of the election countermeasures headquarters and secretary general, said, the Yoon core group (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates) are running amok, and it would be more comfortable if they were rather expelled from the party," adding, "I will not leave on my own." He also criticized Yoon candidate's close aides and demanded that they rather expel him.

A post uploaded by a supporter of Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, and Hong's comment.
[Photo by Cheongnyeonui Kkum capture]

Earlier, during a dinner with candidate Yoon on the 19th, Hong had demanded a national declaration to strictly punish corruption related to the candidate's in-laws and vowed to devote himself to talent recruitment, including nominating former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He also added that if Yoon's side accepted this, he would take on the position of senior advisor to the election headquarters and join the election campaign.

In response, candidate Yoon avoided giving a direct answer, and Head Kwon strongly criticized Hong on the grounds that the demand for nomination rights was excessive. Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, stated that he is "making efforts to mediate between candidate Yoon's side and Hong" and has stepped in to resolve the conflict.