Hong Supporters Endorse Lee: "People Power Party No Longer Deserves to Be Called the Leading Conservative Party"

Hong Joonpyo Supporters Announce Endorsement of Lee Jaemyung
at Democratic Party Headquarters

A group of supporters of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo has announced its endorsement of Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea. With former Mayor Hong having declared his retirement from politics and departed for the United States, the group expressed its intention to support candidate Lee, who has emphasized "unity" rather than aligning with the People Power Party.

On the morning of May 13 in Yeouido, Seoul, at the Democratic Party headquarters, Shin Younggil, president of the HongsaMo Central Association, held a press conference declaring support for candidate Lee on behalf of Hong's supporters. He stated, "At this pivotal moment of transition from division to unity in Korea, I believe candidate Lee is the political leader who can guide the country to become an advanced nation. Those of us who have stood with former Mayor Hong will set aside ideology and beliefs to ensure that Korea achieves national unity, and we will work for candidate Lee's victory in the 21st presidential election."

The press conference was attended not only by Hong's support group HongsaMo and the National Integration Promotion Association, but also by the former mayor's campaign external cooperation chair, SNS team, and media team. From the Democratic Party, lawmakers Lee Eonju and Hwang Myungseon were present.

They also raised strong criticism against the People Power Party. President Shin said, "After former Mayor Hong Joonpyo narrowly lost in the People Power Party's presidential primary and candidate Kim Moonsoo was selected, the party's handling of the unification process inflicted irreparable wounds on the hearts of countless voters who have supported the conservative party out of concern for Korea's future. The People Power Party no longer deserves to be called the representative conservative party of Korea."

He added, "It is regrettable that a party which produced an impeached president who destroyed the nation's economy and livelihoods through the 12·3 Martial Law is now being manipulated by former President Yoon Sukyeol without any genuine self-reflection." During the press conference, a female supporter standing in the back shed tears. President Shin concluded, "Without former Mayor Hong, there is no hope for the People Power Party. We will wait for the day when former Mayor Hong returns for the sake of this country."

Meanwhile, candidate Lee stated the previous day, "The role of the president is to appoint competent and loyal people to the right positions, regardless of background, in order to achieve better governance and improve people's lives. If outstanding individuals like former Mayor Hong join us in this effort, wouldn't that be even better?"