Hong Junpyo: "Yoon's Sudden Promotion of Han Deoksoo Is Ruining Both the Country and the Party"

"Han Deoksoo Promoted by Yongsan and Party Leadership's Scheme"
"Even in Defeat, There Must Be a Just Cause"

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo criticized former President Yoon Sukyeol, stating, "He has ruined the country and is now ruining the party as well."

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Yeouido election campaign office in Seoul last April. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On May 7, Hong wrote on his Facebook, "I feel I must reveal what I experienced during the primary process before I leave," and began to explain his reasons for leaving the People Power Party after the presidential primary.

He said, "When I first entered the primary, I secured the support of 48 members of the National Assembly and about 70 local party chapter heads. Because I was also leading in public opinion polls, I thought I would easily win a majority in the second round. However, when Yongsan and the party leadership suddenly promoted Han Deoksoo (former Prime Minister) and tried to turn the impeachment election into a confidence vote on Yoon Sukyeol, I was skeptical, wondering if they would really do something so obviously doomed to fail in the presidential election."

He continued, "However, as that scenario became reality, Kim Moonsoo (People Power Party presidential candidate) started calling himself Kim Deoksu, and both Yongsan and the party leadership, thinking Kim Moonsoo would be easy to handle, plotted to support Kim Moonsoo and eliminate me, Hong Junpyo, who was an obstacle to Han Deoksoo. My supporters instantly switched to supporting Kim Moonsoo, and suddenly Kim Moonsoo became the top choice among party members. I found out about this four days before the second round of the primary."

He said, "Kim Moonsoo took advantage of their sinister scheme, and from that point on, I no longer wanted to be part of this dirty game. But why criticize Kim Moonsoo? Why not criticize Han Deoksoo, who sought a free ride and willingly became Yoon Sukyeol's avatar?"

Hong Junpyo added, "Is it wrong for Kim Moonsoo to turn your sinister scheme to his own advantage?" and said, "Because of one wrong hire, both the country and the party are suffering. If party members had chosen me three years ago, would the country and the party be in this state? 'Oh, what a pity' is the only thing to say at a time like this."

He also said, "Even in defeat, there must be a just cause. Only then will you have a reason to rise again. You are not an ideological group but merely a group of interests, and that is why the British Tory Party eventually disappeared."