People Power Party Makes All-Out Effort to Retain Hong Junpyo... Kwon Seongdong Pleads, "Hero of Conservatism, Please Stay"

A Public Apology and Plea to Hong Junpyo After His Departure from the Party
Crisis Deepens as Hong's Supporters Declare Support for Lee Jaemyung
Kwon Youngse: "Perhaps One's Innate Character Cannot Be Changed"

Kwon Seongdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, made an effort on May 14 to persuade former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo to stay with the party. Addressing Hong, Kwon said, "If there have been any inconveniences I have caused you during your long political journey, please direct all your anger solely at me," and earnestly pleaded, "I sincerely ask that you do not abandon the history of this country and this party, which you have protected at the forefront."

On this day, Kwon expressed his gratitude on social media for his past relationship with Hong and for Hong's efforts on behalf of the People Power Party and its predecessor parties, making the above remarks.

He showered Hong with praise for his achievements both as a prosecutor and a politician, calling him "a crane among chickens," "Hong Junpyo, whom no one can imitate," and "a hero of conservatism."

On April 29, at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, candidate Hong Junpyo is leaving the party headquarters after being eliminated at the announcement event for the third round of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary. 2025.4.29 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Kwon's earnest appeal to Hong comes as the situation has become increasingly concerning, with some of Hong's associates recently declaring their support for Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea.

The previous day, a group of Hong's supporters publicly declared their support for Lee Jaemyung, which drew significant attention. Shin Younggil, head of the HongsaMo Central Association, stated at the Democratic Party headquarters, "At this major turning point, moving from division to unity in Korea, I believe candidate Lee is the politician who can lead the Republic of Korea to become an advanced nation." The press conference was attended not only by Hong's supporters, 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 also present.

Within the party, there is widespread concern that Hong may go beyond leaving the party and make a significant political decision. Yoon Sanghyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, appealed via social media, saying, "While I understand your sense of betrayal and anger toward the party, now is not the time to resolve personal grievances, but to defend the free Republic of Korea." Another lawmaker, Ahn Cheolsoo, also expressed concern that Hong might support Lee, urging, "You must never take candidate Lee's hand."

However, Hong Junpyo has voiced increasing skepticism toward the People Power Party. Posting on "Youth's Dream," his communication channel with supporters, Hong wrote, "I cannot help but sever ties with a party that has been impeached twice." He continued, "The first time, I rebuilt it, but the second time, I simply could not handle it, so I left the party. If I had only left, I would have been criticized, so I went as far as to retire from politics." He added, "At my age of 70, do you think I would act emotionally? I left because it is a group that simply cannot be reformed." He went on to say, "Regardless of who comes to power, I hope my country becomes a stable nation where left and right coexist," and added, "I also hope that true conservatives will newly emerge in this land."

Within the People Power Party, aside from efforts to persuade Hong, there are also strong voices of discontent. Kwon Youngse, who stepped down as the party's emergency committee chair, criticized on social media, "Someone who has run for president twice, been elected as a metropolitan mayor twice, and won multiple parliamentary elections in this party should not act like this now," adding, "Perhaps one's innate character cannot be changed."