Hong Jun-pyo: "Not Pro-Yoon, But Oppose Undermining the President"

"Not Pro-Chin Yoon... Do Not Shake Yoon for National Stability"
Sharp Criticism on Factional Politics... "Truly Insulting"
Referring to Presidential Election... "Must Cooperate with Yoon Government for National Stability"

After the crushing defeat in the general election, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who had been continuously voicing harsh criticism in the political arena, stated, "I oppose shaking the president for the sake of national stability."

(From left) President Yoon Seok-yeol, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.
Photo by Yonhap News

On the 22nd, Mayor Hong posted this statement on his social media (SNS). He said, "Even though I am not pro-Park, I opposed the impeachment of Park Geun-hye and also criticized the Constitutional Court's acceptance of the impeachment," adding, "That was because it was a suspension of the constitution, and I opposed it for the sake of national stability, not because I was pro-Park."

However, Mayor Hong also said, "Even though I am not pro-Yoon, I oppose shaking the president for the sake of national stability," and added, "The petty factions call this pro-Yoon, but putting me into factional politics is truly insulting." He continued, "In my over 30 years of political career, I have never engaged in factional politics."

Mayor Hong stated, "The world I dream of is different," and said, "Third-rate critics talk about competition with someone, but the presidential election is still three years away. Now is the time to cooperate with the Yoon administration and give sound advice to ensure national stability." He emphasized, "Causing confusion among the people with some baseless rumors is not desirable for the country."

Earlier, on the 21st, Mayor Hong also posted a critical message related to factional politics. He said, "I do not engage in cowardly politics that only polish images and turn a blind eye to reality," adding, "Political struggles are always muddy fights, and pretending to be noble alone in that fight is disgusting hypocrisy. Regardless of gains and losses, we must fight based on right and wrong so that we can promise the future with that justification." He continued, "There is no need to consider the petty factions' jealousy," and said, "I have always been like this, and I have lived in this chaos for over 30 years with that mindset."

Meanwhile, Mayor Hong held a private dinner meeting with President Yoon on the 16th. It is reported that at the meeting, Mayor Hong recommended pro-Yoon key lawmaker Jang Je-won as the new Chief of Staff and Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the National Integration Committee, as Prime Minister. However, it is said that Lawmaker Jang declined the offer.