Hong Junpyo: "As a Factionless Outsider, I Considered Leaving Even After Losing to Yoon"

"Regret Remains Over the Missed Era of the Advanced Seventh Republic"

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo closes his eyes after being eliminated at the announcement event for the third round of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary held at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Hong Junpyo, former Daegu Mayor who was eliminated in the second round of the People Power Party's presidential primary, expressed his thoughts through his social media.

On the 29th, Hong wrote on his Facebook page, "Although I regret not being able to usher in the era of an 'advanced great nation' of the Seventh Republic, I believe my juniors will do well." Having declared his retirement from politics after his defeat in the primary, Hong has also hinted at his intention to leave the People Power Party.

He said, "About 30 years ago, I was ostracized within the prosecution for investigating the corruption of senior prosecutors. I endured two years of collective bullying and eventually resigned, during which my wife cried bitterly." He continued, "At the strong urging of YS (the late President Kim Youngsam), I joined the conservative party, served five terms as a member of the National Assembly, and three terms as a metropolitan mayor, but as someone without a faction, I was always an outsider in the conservative party."

He went on to say, "Three years ago, during the presidential primary, I defeated candidate Yoon, who was a political newcomer, by 10.27% in public opinion but suffered a crushing defeat in the party vote, despite having devoted 27 years to this party. At that time, I wanted to leave the party, but I postponed it for one last challenge. After seeing today's primary results, I felt that if I continued in politics, I would only become more undignified. So now, I have decided to leave this party and retire from politics. My wife has suffered, and my two sons have also endured a lot emotionally during this time."

In conclusion, he stated, "I now strongly feel that I must graduate from the political arena, which is filled with endless conflict. I wish to leave politics and spend peaceful days observing the world from a new perspective. Although I regret not being able to usher in the era of the advanced great nation of the Seventh Republic, I believe my juniors will do well."