'Flood Golf' Hong Joon-pyo Is Different This Time... Cancels Vacation Due to Kanun Approaching

Preparing for Kanun's Northward Movement... "Returning to the Office"
"I might have to take just one day off this summer vacation and cancel the rest"

Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, who was embroiled in controversy for 'playing golf during the flood disaster,' announced that he will cancel his vacation and return to work in preparation for the northward approach of Typhoon Khanun, the 6th typhoon of the season.

On the 8th, Mayor Hong posted two messages on his Facebook stating that he would 'cancel his vacation and return to work.' He said, "I will have to cancel the rest of this summer vacation after just one day yesterday," and added, "Today, I am canceling my vacation to prepare for the typhoon and returning to the office."

In subsequent posts, along with a photo of him climbing Hyangjeokbong Peak in Deogyusan, Muju, Jeonbuk, he said, "The weather is so nice, yet they say a typhoon is coming," and "I am immediately canceling my vacation and returning to the office."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo announced that he is canceling his vacation and returning in preparation for the approach of Typhoon Khanun, the 6th typhoon. Photo by Mayor Hong's Facebook

Previously, Mayor Hong faced backlash for 'playing golf during heavy rain amid the flood disaster.' On the 15th of last month, when heavy rain poured over the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions, it was revealed that he played golf at a golf course in Daegu, sparking controversy. He initially defended himself by saying, "Is there any regulation in the public service that says you can play tennis on weekends but not golf?" but this only caused a backlash.

After apologizing four days later, Mayor Hong lowered his profile by participating in flood recovery volunteer work, but he ultimately received a severe disciplinary action of a 10-month suspension of party membership. The People Power Party Ethics Committee stated on the 26th of last month, "Mayor Hong is an important political leader of the People Power Party, having served as party leader and presidential candidate," and added, "It is damaging to the party's image and alienates public sentiment when a leading elected official of the ruling party, who should be with and empathize with the people, acts in ways that are out of touch with public sentiment and even opposes the public mood."

Although it was expected that Mayor Hong's political standing would inevitably suffer after the severe disciplinary action, he has continued to voice criticism, including reprimanding the 'Jamboree incident.' He also expressed the need to embrace former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and former party leader Lee Jun-seok ahead of the general election. Yoo and Lee are representative figures classified as non-Yoon (non-Yoon Seok-youl) factions.

On the 30th of last month, Mayor Hong wrote on Facebook, "I have endured until the general election, but since the support base is already weak, we need to embrace both Lee Jun-seok and Yoo Seung-min," adding, "Although they differ from the mainstream, it is necessary to include the 'non-Yoon' faction for the victory in the general election." Mayor Hong deleted the post after it sparked controversy.