Regarding Kim Daesik's Planned Visit to Hawaii:
"I Told Him Not to Come"
On May 16, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, who had continued to criticize the People Power Party even after announcing his retirement from politics and departure from the party following his elimination in the second round of the party’s presidential primary, stated that he would refrain from posting political content for the time being.
On May 16, Hong posted a message titled “I will stop posting about politics for the time being” on “Youth’s Dream,” his supporter community, making this announcement.
Hong explained, “I believe my political posts could cause confusion in the presidential race, so as of today, I will stop posting about politics until the election is over. This is especially the case since I have been pushed out of the party. I ask for your understanding.”
Since his elimination from the People Power Party primary, Hong has strongly criticized both the unification process between presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo and former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, as well as the pro-Yoon faction.
Currently staying in Hawaii, United States, Hong also criticized the party on this day, saying, “The true conservatism of this party (People Power Party) ended when Lee Hoechang, former leader of the Grand National Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), retired from politics. Since then, pseudo-conservatives have gathered, falsely claiming to represent true conservatism with all sorts of rhetoric, deceiving the public for years.”
Within the People Power Party, some have criticized Hong’s recent actions, saying, “He enjoyed all the privileges of being a presidential candidate, a metropolitan mayor, and a National Assembly member, and now he criticizes the party.” On the other hand, there are also voices calling for his return.
Kim Yongtae, chairman of the People Power Party’s emergency committee, publicly requested cooperation by posting on his Facebook page, “Please become an unwavering cornerstone in the journey to rebuild conservatism.”
Kim Daesik, who served as chief of staff for Hong during the primary, is planning to visit Hawaii. However, Hong wrote on Facebook today, “(The ‘Hawaii persuasion team’ from Kim Moonsoo’s camp) told them not to come.”
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