"Yoon's Martial Law Declaration Is Not Rebellion... Difficult for the Constitutional Court to Accept"
"Never Lost to Lee Jaemyung... Even Being Asked about Han Donghoon Is Offensive"
Hong Jun-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, stated on the 19th that he has always been a presidential candidate and said, "Even if the presidential election were held tomorrow, I am ready."
Mayor Hong appeared on SBS's "Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing" that day and said, "Since the 2017 'impeachment presidential election,' I have always been a presidential candidate." He added, "What I am preparing for in politics now is managing Daegu city and preparing for the next presidential election," and said, "My life is all about preparing for how the country can be stable and how Korea can survive in the international community." He further stated, "Since there will soon be an impeachment presidential election, I am preparing for it, but I have already prepared everything."
When asked if he was certain about running if an early presidential election takes place, Mayor Hong replied, "I have been in politics for 30 years thinking about how South Korea can become a prosperous country, and of course, I will run."
Regarding President Yoon Seok-youl's declaration of martial law on December 3 last year, he argued, "The crime of rebellion is an intentional crime. It must be aimed at overthrowing the government, but does the president have any intention of overthrowing the government?" He added, "There are legal charges such as disturbance, riot, and rebellion, but since it did not even reach the level of a riot, it does not qualify as rebellion."
On the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial, he said, "Martial law is the president's emergency power. It is not a matter of legality or illegality, but whether it is appropriate or inappropriate," and added, "It will be difficult for the Constitutional Court to accept (the impeachment)." He also expressed concern, saying, "The Constitutional Court's impeachment trial procedure is truly worrisome. Whether it accepts or rejects, the country will be in turmoil. If an impeachment presidential election occurs, we might have to hold the election in a state of civil war."
Regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Mayor Hong predicted, "Even if there is an early presidential election, the people will find it difficult to choose Lee Jae-myung. Both he and President Yoon will be cleansed." About Lee's remark the previous day calling the Democratic Party a "centrist conservative party," he criticized, "It is a show directed at the conservative camp," and said, "People say that except for breathing, everything Lee says is a lie."
When later asked if he was confident about winning in a one-on-one race against Lee Jae-myung in the next presidential election, Mayor Hong claimed, "In the presidential primary two years ago, I never lost one-on-one to Lee Jae-myung."
Regarding Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, who recently declared his return to politics, he said, "I am even offended to be asked about him," and criticized, "If Han Dong-hoon had acted properly as party leader, would this situation have come about?" He added, "He did not think about helping the government, but threatened the president and went off track, leading to this mess."
On the 'Myeong Tae-gyun suspicion,' he drew a clear line, saying, "I am the victim. I am a victim of public opinion manipulation, but suddenly I have become the perpetrator." Regarding reports that Myeong and Mayor Hong's son were involved, he explained, "Choi, who follows Myeong Tae-gyun, is a high school classmate of my son. Choi told my son, 'Since it seems like they might harm you, at least thank him (Myeong),' so my son sent one or two text messages, and that is all."
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