Hong Jun-pyo "A Time to Make a Difficult Decision"... Is Yoon's Support Rally Imminent?

One Week After Failed Joining of Seondaebon... "Difficult Decision" Hints at Position Announcement

People Power Party lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo left a post suggesting that his decision on his future position is imminent.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, hinted that his announcement regarding his political stance is imminent by posting that "it is time to make a difficult decision." This comes one week after his planned joining of Yoon Seok-yeol's People Power Party presidential campaign headquarters (campaign HQ) fell through.

On the 28th, Hong posted an article titled '和而不同 (Hwa-i Bu-dong)' on his communication platform 'Dream of Youth,' stating, "I hope we have the wisdom to observe the world while murmuring George Hoon's poem 'Falling Flowers (Nak-hwa).'"

Some speculate that, with the presidential election 40 days away, Hong might be preparing to support candidate Yoon. Others interpret this as a sign that he will not abandon his political beliefs under any circumstances.

The phrase Hwa-i Bu-dong that he mentioned means 'to harmonize with others without blindly conforming or engaging in biased behavior.' It is also famously quoted by Confucius as "The gentleman harmonizes but does not conform (和而不同), while the petty person conforms but does not harmonize (同而不和)." Additionally, 'Nak-hwa' (falling flowers) is a poem metaphorically expressing the transience, hardship, and despair of a life turning away from the world.

Previously, Hong had consistently criticized candidate Yoon. Even when he was about to join the campaign HQ, he reportedly expressed willingness to participate and support if Yoon resolved family-related risks. On the 19th, he said on Dream of Youth, "I had dinner with candidate Yoon for two and a half hours this evening and made two requests," demanding "measures to guarantee national governance capability" and "strict punishment for in-law corruption."

However, his joining the campaign HQ was ultimately canceled due to conflicts with Yoon over nominations for the National Assembly by-elections. Hong insisted on strategically nominating former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung for the Jongno district in Seoul and former Daegu Suseong District Mayor Lee Jin-hoon for the Daegu Jung-nam district, but Yoon's side rejected this. On the 20th, Kwon Young-se, head of the People Power Party campaign HQ, criticized Hong, saying, "If you show old-fashioned behavior, you will not be recognized as a leader, nor even as a member of our party."

In response, on the 21st, Hong posted on his Facebook, "It is truly outrageous to label me as an old-fashioned politician," and declared, "Am I someone who would sell my beliefs for two nomination spots?" On the 25th, through Dream of Youth, he also expressed his frustration, saying, "In the worst presidential election scenario, I feel trapped with no way out."