Hong Jun-pyo: "108 Seats, The People Have Only Kept the Lifeline" Continuous Criticism

"All Our Fault... We Must Be Independent and Self-Reliant"
"Korea Ruined Itself by Just Taking Selfies"

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo wrote on Facebook on the 13th regarding the ruling People Power Party's crushing defeat in the 22nd general election, saying, "Giving them 108 seats means the people have only barely kept them alive."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Mayor Hong continued, "Let's not blame each other. It's all our fault. Instead of throwing beans at a burning house, let's unite and rise again." He also said, "Let's take the path of self-reliance and self-strengthening. Tomorrow, the sun will rise again."

Earlier, on the 12th, in a Facebook post, Mayor Hong sharply criticized the ruling party led by former emergency committee chairman Han Dong-hoon, saying, "You trusted Moon Jae-in and brought in the hunting dog who trampled us so harshly, yet you shamelessly applaud under him. Do you really like that?" He added, "How can you survive in this harsh world with such a slave mentality?" and wrote, "Without even a shred of thought about self-reliance and self-strengthening, do you really enjoy living under the top 1% privileged class of Korea, who became celebrities following light and trivial gossip like feathers?"

On the same day, he lamented, "Han Dong-hoon ruined the party that was saved during the impeachment presidential election by just taking selfies while playing around with presidential ambitions," and pointed out, "This party has survived by cowardly entrusting itself to celebrities outside the party instead of nurturing talent within." He said, "Even Lee Jun-seok, whom we ambitiously raised, was driven out by an absurd accusation of sexual bribery, and the party has become a sunflower party only looking toward Yongsan." He questioned, "Does a party that only appeals to supporters over their 70s have a future? Watching this general election, I feel sorry that the party I spent over 30 years with is falling further into a bird that cannot fly."

Earlier, on his online community 'Cheongnyeon-ui Kkum' (Youth's Dream), which he operates, Mayor Hong drew attention by posting about reformist party leader Lee Jun-seok, saying, "He is still a decent politician. Congratulations on your election." In response, Lee Jun-seok proposed the appointment of a prime minister as a measure to reform the government and manage the ruling party, saying, "One option is to invite Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who is highly regarded by young people for his refreshing image, as prime minister and share a significant part of the government affairs."