Hong Joonpyo's Appointment as Standing Election Committee Chair Ends as Brief Episode... Kim's Side Says "Will Respect His Decision" (Comprehensive)

Hong: "I have left People Power Party, will not be involved in this presidential election"
Kim Moonsoo's camp: "Hong gave a positive response, but we respect his decision"

The appointment of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo as the Standing Election Committee Chairperson for the Central Election Committee of People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo ended as a brief episode lasting just over an hour, due to Hong's refusal.

On the afternoon of May 9, Kim Moonsoo's campaign announced to the media that Hong Joonpyo had been appointed as the Standing Election Committee Chairperson, stating, "Hong changed his plan to leave for the United States on May 10 and decided to accept the position to help Kim win the election."

However, the appointment discussion came to an end after Hong Joonpyo made it clear that he would not accept Kim's offer. On the same day, Hong posted on Facebook, "I have already left the People Power Party. I have declared that I will not be involved in this presidential election," and added, "I will depart tomorrow as planned and return after the election," reaffirming his intention to stick to his scheduled visit to the United States.

Candidate Hong Junpyo, who was eliminated from the third round of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary, is listening to the impressions of the advancing candidates at the People Power Party Central Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of April 29. 2025.4.29 National Assembly Press Photographers Association Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Association

After Hong's Facebook post, Kim Moonsoo's campaign issued a follow-up statement to the media, clarifying, "This afternoon, Kim spoke with Hong by phone and requested that he accept the position of Standing Election Committee Chairperson. Hong did give a positive response at that time. However, since Hong has now made it clear that he will not take the position, we believe it is only right to respect his wishes."

Previously, on April 29, immediately after being eliminated in the second round of the People Power Party primary, Hong Joonpyo announced his retirement from politics. The following day, on April 30, he submitted his resignation from the party. On May 5, he also posted on social media, "I did not leave the party; the party abandoned me," adding, "To contemplate the third act of my life, I will visit the United States for a while, where an acquaintance resides."

Nevertheless, Hong Joonpyo has recently supported Kim Moonsoo while sharply criticizing both the party leadership and former Prime Minister Han, arguing that the pressure for unification with Han reflects the wishes of Yongsan and the party leadership. On the same day, Hong again targeted Han and the party leadership on Facebook, stating, "A bureaucratic career of more than 50 years ends so emptily," and, "If you leave beautifully, every step of your journey is remembered beautifully, but if you are removed while blinded by vain ambition and greed, what remains is only disgrace." He continued, "This is not just irrational, it is anti-rational," and added, "Those who blindly follow are no different," delivering a scathing criticism.