Hong Jun-pyo "Yoon Tong should be released... I want to join the anti-impeachment rally"

"Posting My Opinions on Facebook Alone Is Not Enough"

Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, who hinted at running if an early presidential election is held, called for the release of President Yoon Seok-yeol, saying he "wants to participate in the anti-impeachment rally."

On the 8th, Mayor Hong posted on his Facebook, “If I go (to the anti-impeachment rally), the Mugo Solidarity will file another complaint against me for violating the presidential election law, and they say public officials cannot join the national defense team for President Yoon’s release,” adding, “In the end, I have no choice but to be satisfied with posting only my opinions on Facebook.” He also emphasized, “I hope President Yoon’s custody is lifted first.”

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is answering questions at a year-end press conference held at the Sangyeok Office of Daegu City Hall in Buk-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of December 26 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

The ‘Mugo Solidarity’ refers to Daegu Participation Solidarity. Last month on the 7th, Daegu Participation Solidarity claimed that a close aide of Mayor Hong paid for opinion poll costs during the 2022 local elections.

At that time, Mayor Hong called Daegu Participation Solidarity “Mugo Solidarity (誣告連帶),” saying, “They always file baseless false accusations to sue or charge the mayor,” and filed a complaint with the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office against a Daegu Participation Solidarity official for “false accusation and defamation by publication.”

Mayor Hong argued, “The arrest warrant is invalid from the start, and since the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has no investigative authority, all investigation documents are invalid,” adding, “Some police documents are also just scrap paper because President Yoon did not consent to the evidence.” He continued, “With so many disputable issues in this case, continuing to detain the sitting president on baseless charges in this cold winter is neither in accordance with legal procedures nor proper.”

On the afternoon of the 8th, the Protestant organization Save Korea held a national emergency prayer meeting at Dongdaegu Station Plaza, urging opposition to the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and calling for his release. Photo by Yonhap News

At the anti-impeachment rally for President Yoon held at Dongdaegu Station Square that day, an estimated crowd of about 52,000 gathered, according to police. Several lawmakers from the People Power Party also participated in the rally, with Yoon Jae-ok, Lee Man-hee, Kang Dae-sik, Lee In-seon, Lee Dal-hee, Kim Seung-su, Jo Ji-yeon, and Kwon Young-jin reportedly taking the stage.

Han-gil Jeon, a Korean history instructor who spoke at the event, said, “President Yoon’s approval rating exceeded 50% last week, and through rallies like this, it will soon reach 60%,” adding, “Since 60% of the people are calling for the president’s immediate release and return to duty, the Constitutional Court justices will not be able to go against the will of the people.”