"For the Cause of Regime Change," Hong Jun-pyo Joins Hands with Yoon Seok-yeol in 'One Team'

"To Prevent the Ruthless Regime from Exploiting the Republic of Korea"
Accepted the Position of Senior Advisor at the Election Committee to Provide Active Counsel

Yoon Seok-yeol, who was elected as the People Power Party's 20th presidential election candidate, is greeting primary candidate Hong Joon-pyo at the 2nd party convention held on the afternoon of November 5 last year at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 29th, Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he will accept the position of standing advisor to the Central Election Countermeasures Headquarters. This comes 10 days after a dinner meeting with Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate.

On the same day, Hong posted on his Facebook, stating, "For the great cause of regime change, I accept the advisory position I promised to participate in during my previous meeting with presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol." He added, "I thank Representative Lee Cheol-gyu from the candidate's side and Director Ahn Byung-yong from our side for engaging in practical consultations to clear up misunderstandings."

After meeting with candidate Yoon on the 19th, Hong posted on 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' (Youth's Dream), an online community he created, saying he made two requests to Yoon: one was to demonstrate governance capability, and the other was a public declaration to strictly punish corruption related to Yoon's in-laws. Shortly after, it became controversial when it was revealed that Hong recommended former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung and former Suseong District Mayor Lee Jin-hoon for the by-elections in Jongno District, Seoul, and Jungnang District, Daegu, respectively. Suspicions grew that Hong was effectively interfering in candidate nominations and that Yoon was sensitive to the in-law issue, making the 'one team' concept seem unlikely. Later, Hong expressed his frustration in a post titled 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place,' saying, "The presidential election is a national festival, but I feel like I am the only one caught in a dilemma amid the worst election scenario."

Hong Joon-pyo, Member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

The tide began to change on the 27th when Hong posted an article titled 'Hwajibudong' (Harmony without Uniformity). Hong said, "It is time to make a difficult decision," and added, "I hope we have the wisdom to observe the world while murmuring to George Hoon's poem 'Nak-hwa' (Falling Flowers)." Hwajibudong is often used to mean acknowledging differences and conflicts while seeking harmony. This led to speculation that Hong's joining was imminent.

Hong's sudden announcement of his intention to join appears to be aimed at uniting the will for regime change. On the day, Hong said, "I will actively respond to the presidential advisory requests from candidate Yoon so that the ruthless regime no longer continues to manipulate the Republic of Korea," and "I will strive to create a new world." On Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum, Hong stated, "After the presidential election, I will work to make Korea united, to open an era of an advanced country that gives youth dreams and hope, and stability and happiness to the middle-aged."