Will Hong Junpyo Be Appointed as Prime Minister If Lee Jaemyung Wins? Hong's Side Denies Reports as "Groundless"

Some Media Report "Hong as Prime Minister if Lee Wins"
Hong Directly Denies Through Notice to Reporters

The camp of Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, has dismissed as "groundless" some media reports suggesting that former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo is being considered for the position of Prime Minister in the next administration.

On the afternoon of May 15, Hong Junpyo's side issued a notice to the press stating, "We inform you that the contents of today's reported article are groundless. Please take this into account when reporting."

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Earlier that day, a media outlet reported, citing an anonymous source from Hong Junpyo's camp, that Lee Jaemyung's side was discussing the appointment of Hong Junpyo as Prime Minister in the next government. According to the report, a member of Lee Jaemyung's camp contacted Hong Junpyo's side during the Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday holidays earlier this month to inquire whether Hong Junpyo would be willing to take on the role of Prime Minister. The outlet added that while Hong Junpyo's side did not give a definitive answer, it was known that they were actively engaging in discussions regarding the prime ministerial position. An anonymous source from Hong Junpyo's camp was quoted as saying, "The proposal for the Prime Minister position was not just casual, but rather quite serious in tone."

On May 10, Lee Jaemyung revealed that he had recently spoken with Hong Junpyo by phone while visiting Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Hong Junpyo's hometown. Lee stated, "I want to achieve results and be evaluated by appointing capable and loyal people to the right positions, regardless of their background, for the sake of people's livelihoods." He added, "It would be great if distinguished figures like Hong Junpyo could join us in this effort."

Meanwhile, after losing in the People Power Party's presidential primary and announcing his retirement from politics, Hong Junpyo has been staying in Hawaii, United States, and has been openly criticizing the People Power Party on a daily basis. On May 15, through his own communication platform "Cheongnyeonui Kkum" (Dream of Youth), he said, "I was elected as a National Assembly member five times on my own, without help from the party." He continued, "If, 30 years ago, when I knew nothing about politics, I had joined the Little Democratic Party at the recommendation of former President Roh Moo-hyun, perhaps I would not have suffered for so long in a party where loyalty, duty, and common sense mean nothing."

He went on to say, "I won the Gyeongnam governorship twice in party primaries through my own efforts, despite persistent checks and slander from pro-Park factions. I also won the Daegu mayoral primary once, overcoming relentless obstruction from the party and an unreasonable 15% penalty. The party has given me nothing in return." This appears to be a rebuttal to former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Youngse, who previously criticized Hong Junpyo by saying, "A person who has run for president twice, been elected as a metropolitan mayor twice, and been elected as a National Assembly member several times in this party should not act like this now."

Hong Junpyo also commented on the possibility of returning to politics. He said, "I did not come to Hawaii for leisure, but rather to temporarily exile myself to avoid the presidential election." He added, "I am staying at the home of a long-time acquaintance, so there are no extra expenses. I will return after the election is over."