Hong Joon-pyo: "US Designation of South Korea as a Sensitive Country Due to Political Uncertainty"

"The Pro-China, Anti-America Stance Pursued by the Democratic Party Provokes the U.S."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. 2025.03.17 Executive Meeting. Provided by Daegu City

Regarding the U.S. Department of Energy designating South Korea as a "sensitive country," Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo stated, "The biggest reason is political uncertainty."

On the 18th, Mayor Hong wrote on Facebook, "When we quickly resolve political uncertainty and establish new leadership, this issue will be automatically resolved." He added, "Rather than our party's nuclear development theory claimed by the Democratic Party, it is the pro-China, anti-America stance pursued by the Democratic Party that is more strongly provoking the U.S."

Regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of the Korea-U.S. trade deficit, Mayor Hong said, "Since the impeachment election in May 2017, I have advocated importing Alaskan natural gas to balance Korea-U.S. trade," adding, "If we switch energy imports from the Middle East to the U.S., the Korea-U.S. trade deficit will be resolved, and trade friction between the two countries will disappear."

In another post that day, Mayor Hong said, "Expanding the center is possible when one’s own line is clear," and added, "A reed leadership that looks around here and there is not trusted even by our own people."

He also pointed out, "Swing voters always side with the strong," noting, "During the last Trump election, all swing states chose Trump." He emphasized, "We should not glance sideways at the center but look at the entire nation."