Hong Junpyo: "If I Become the 'Big One,' the Landscape Will Change... Leading an Advanced Nation Is My Final Mission" [Presidential Election Interview]

"I will pursue a 'package deal' with President Trump"
"There is no scenario without unification... Lee Junseok and others must come together"

Hong Junpyo, former mayor of Daegu and a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party, stated, "After the era of national foundation, the era of national modernization, and the era of democratization, it is time to usher in an era of advanced nationhood," expressing his determination by saying, "Creating a new nation is my final political mission."

In an interview with Asia Economy at his election campaign office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul on April 21, Hong said, "If I become the 'Big 1' (the final presidential candidate) through the primary, the dynamics of the main election will change." He suggested that if a one-on-one race emerges against Lee Jaemyung, the preliminary candidate of the Democratic Party, it will serve as a "turning point" that changes the current structure of presidential approval ratings. He expressed confidence, saying, "I have prepared both the party sentiment and public sentiment over the past three months, keeping in mind the possibility of an impeachment election."

He cited negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump as the first task he would undertake if elected president. Hong emphasized, "Through a Korea-U.S. summit, we must negotiate a deal that links the North Korean nuclear issue with economic issues." The following is a Q&A with Hong Junpyo.

Hong Junpyo, the presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at his election campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 21, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

-What is the spirit of the times for the 2025 presidential election?

▲As I have declared, it is time to end the 1987 system of the Sixth Republic. We must bring the Sixth Republic to a close and lay the foundation for the Seventh Republic as an advanced nation.

-Your thoughts on the first primary debate?

▲There was nothing to be attacked for, so it went smoothly. This primary debate could not be fiercely contested. Typically, the primary lasts about six months and the main election about four months, but the biggest problem after the primary is reconciliation. Debates can deepen emotional rifts, but this time there is no time for reconciliation. That is why I was quite cautious in this primary debate. I hope the debate will focus as much as possible on policies.

-You need to win both public sentiment and party sentiment. How are you approaching this?

▲I have established a strategy and am executing it. I have prepared both party sentiment and public sentiment over the past three months, keeping in mind the possibility of an impeachment election.

-Regarding approval ratings, what will be the turning point in this presidential election?

▲Currently, it is a 'Small Four' (four primary candidates) contest, but I will become the 'Big One' through the primary. If it becomes a one-on-one race with Lee Jaemyung, the dynamics of the main election will change. The main election will be completely different.

Hong Junpyo, the presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at his election campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 21, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

-What is your view on the anti-Lee Jaemyung 'big tent'?

▲Is it possible to have scenarios in this election other than unification? The idea is for everyone opposed to Lee Jaemyung to come together. While it may not be possible for Democratic Party members, the non-mainstream factions outside the Democratic Party need to unite again. We should also unify with Representative Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party. I intend to invite him to join.

-With the opposition holding a majority in the National Assembly, what is your plan for achieving cooperation?

▲When DJ (former President Kim Daejung) was elected in 1997, the National Congress for New Politics had 79 seats and faced a minority government for the entire five years. If a president claims that a minority government makes it impossible to govern, that person is not qualified to be president. Today's confusion has arisen because the opposition was not recognized as a dialogue partner.

-Given the challenging economic situation and international environment, what is the first thing you would do as president?

▲It would be to negotiate with President Trump. Through a Korea-U.S. summit, we must negotiate a package deal that links the North Korean nuclear issue and economic issues. Since the two are closely related, a package deal is necessary.

-From a campaign strategy perspective, it is said that a candidate who can appeal to moderates has an advantage. What is your view?

▲There is no moderate group in real politics. They are not moderates, but swing voters. Swing voters make decisions based on the candidate or policies, not the party. They do not become entrenched in a party but vote for the person or policies that suit them. Those who blindly follow a party without considering the candidate are either conservatives or progressives.

-What kind of president do you want to be?

▲After liberation in 1945, Syngman Rhee opened the era of national foundation, Park Chunghee led the era of national modernization, and DJ completed the era of democratization. I believe the era we should pass on to future generations is that of an advanced nation. It is about opening the Seventh Republic and creating a new nation. Opening a new nation is my final political mission.

Interview conducted by Ryu Jungmin, Political Editor

Compiled by Choi Yuri, Reporter