Lowered Tone with Apology and Service... Why Did Hong Jun-pyo Receive a '10-Month Party Membership Suspension'?

"Apology and Volunteer Work Considered, 10-Month Party Membership Suspension"
Hong "I Have 3 Years Left... I Also Have the Right to Speak"

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who caused controversy over 'playing golf during flood damage,' has been disciplined with a '10-month suspension of party membership,' drawing various evaluations from the political sphere. Although Mayor Hong showed signs of self-reflection through apologies and volunteer work, he could not avoid severe punishment.

On the 26th, Ethics Committee Chairman Hwang Jeong-geun announced in a briefing, "The suspension of party membership for 10 months for Mayor Hong was unanimously decided." He stated, "Although he has already apologized and participated in flood recovery activities, considering the timing and circumstances of the act and subsequent factors, it is an act that damages the party's honor and goes against the general public's ethical sentiment and national sentiment, so we had no choice but to strictly apply the ethics rules."

Earlier, it was revealed that Mayor Hong went to play golf at a golf course in Daegu on the 15th, when heavy rain fell in the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions, sparking controversy over 'inappropriate conduct.' His attitude also came under criticism; on the 17th, he posted on Facebook, "Where in the public service is there a rule that you can play tennis on weekends but not golf?" provoking further controversy.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo visited Cheonhyang 2-ri, Gamcheon-myeon, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, which is experiencing great difficulties due to flooding, on the 24th to participate in flood recovery volunteer activities. A total of about 300 people, 100 each day, will be deployed over three days, and Mayor Hong plans to stay on site for the three days until the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News, Daegu City

Criticism of Mayor Hong grew even within the party. It was pointed out that playing golf during a national disaster situation, as well as his response afterward, was not exemplary for a presidential contender and a senior party member.

When disciplinary discussions began, Mayor Hong eventually apologized. Just three days after the controversy, on the 19th, he bowed his head, saying, "I humbly accept the criticism that playing golf during a nationwide flood concern was inappropriate." He also appeared to be conscious of public opinion and engaged in flood recovery volunteer work. To focus on volunteering, Mayor Hong did not attend the Ethics Committee's explanation procedure.

'10-month suspension of party membership' severe punishment? Mild punishment?… Hong: "My right to speak was not suspended"

Within the party, the 10-month suspension of Mayor Hong's party membership was evaluated as an appropriate level. Initially, there were expectations that Mayor Hong would receive a harsher punishment than suspension of party membership. Article 22, Paragraph 2 of the People Power Party's Ethics Rules stipulates that party members should refrain from leisure activities such as golf when the nation is mourning due to natural disasters or major incidents and accidents, or when the people and the country need to unite.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo visited the press room on the 19th to express regret and bowed his head regarding the controversy over the 'flood golf'. Mayor Hong said, "Although it did not violate the disaster response manual, I humbly accept the criticism that it was inappropriate in a situation where flooding was a concern." Photo by Yonhap News Agency, Reader

In 2006, former Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Hong Moon-jong caused controversy for playing golf during flood damage and was expelled from the party. However, in March, Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-tae, who was embroiled in controversy for going to a golf practice range during a wildfire in Gangwon Province, was not disciplined, leading to differing views on the level of punishment.

Regarding this, Ethics Committee Chairman Hwang explained, "We reviewed both cases, but the circumstances are different," adding, "Discipline is not imposed simply for violating the ethics rules, but when the violation causes public sentiment to turn away."

Mayor Hong's self-reflective actions appear to have been a mitigating factor in the disciplinary decision. On the 27th, People Power Party lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk said on YTN Radio's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' "Many people expected the punishment to be about six months or a year if the apology and volunteer work at the flood site were taken into account," adding, "The Ethics Committee decided on about a year but adjusted it to 10 months considering the apology and flood recovery volunteer work."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo left a comment on the online community "Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum" operated by Mayor Hong, stating that "the right to speak has not been suspended." Photo by Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum

Lawmaker Jang evaluated, "Ending with a suspension of party membership means that Mayor Hong is not in a situation where he must leave the party or be expelled, so he still retains his status as a presidential contender," adding, "Although there will be some damage, it is a level of punishment that Mayor Hong can fully accept and respect the Ethics Committee's decision."

While the suspension of party membership for 10 months restricts activities as a party member, it does not affect his administrative duties as Daegu mayor. However, given the disciplinary action ahead of next year's general election, political damage is inevitable.

Right after the Ethics Committee's decision, Mayor Hong posted on Facebook regarding the punishment, saying, "I hope there will be no endless debate," but also stated, "I still have a long time of three years left." On his online community 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' (Youth's Dream), he commented on a supporter’s post saying, "The suspension of party membership will be lifted after next year's general election," with "My right to speak has not been suspended."