Park Jiwon's Outlook on the Next People Power Party Leadership on YouTube
"Appears When Conservatives Are Devastated, Asking 'Who Do We Need?'"
On the 'Hong Junpyo as Prime Minister' Theory: "Possible in the Middle or Latter Part of the Administration"
Park Jiwon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that "the next leadership of the People Power Party will go to former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo." In an interview on the YouTube channel 'Jang Yunseon's News Convenience Store' on the 20th, Park said, "When Kim Moonsoo lost the presidential election and the conservatives were devastated, people asked, 'Who do we need now?' That is how Hong Junpyo's politics work?he makes the 'real delegation' come and invite him." He added, "Right now, former Mayor Hong is probably listening to this broadcast and thinking, 'Our Jiwon hyung is fast. Thank you, hyung. Thanks for speaking out my plan like that.'"
Previously, after announcing his retirement from politics, former Mayor Hong sharply criticized the People Power Party through his social media accounts and youth communication platforms. Notable remarks include: "I cannot help but sever ties with a party that has been impeached twice," "If I had joined the minor Democratic Party 30 years ago, when I knew nothing about politics, at the recommendation of former President Roh Moo-hyun, I might not have suffered for so long in a party where loyalty, duty, and common sense mean nothing," and "They don't even realize they've become a burden to the people, and they keep calling themselves the People Power Party while only appealing to the elderly."
Recently, while staying in Hawaii, United States, he drew attention by changing his social media profile picture to show himself wearing a blue tie. Previously, groups supporting Hong, such as 'Hongsamo' and 'Hongsarang,' had declared their support for Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.
In response, Yoo Sangbeom, head of the People Power Party's election campaign unification task force, Kim Daesik, head of external cooperation, Cho Gwanghan, deputy head of external cooperation, and Lee Seongbae, campaign spokesperson, were urgently dispatched to Hawaii in an effort to win back Hong's support. According to them, former Mayor Hong stated, "Because former President Yoon Sukyeol left the party, I support candidate Kim," and emphasized, "There is absolutely no possibility of joining hands with the Democratic Party."
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo changed the tie in his SNS profile picture from blue to red on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding Hong's subsequent change of his profile picture back to a red tie, Park remarked, "When he was mayor of Daegu, his fingers were busy; after coming to Seoul, both his mouth and fingers were busy; and now in Hawaii, even his tie is busy."
Park described Hong as "a person with outstanding political instincts" and predicted, "He is calculating for the next party leadership." He continued, "The People Power Party's presidential contenders and senior members already believe we have lost this presidential election. That is why everyone is now focused on 'winning the next party leadership.' The next party leader will be Hong Junpyo." In contrast, regarding former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, he said, "He is trapped in the 'traitor' frame."
Park also addressed the speculation in some circles about "Hong Junpyo becoming prime minister under a Lee Jaemyung administration," calling it "a misconception." He said, "Former Mayor Hong is not the kind of person to do politics that way. It would be a loss for him and a loss for the Democratic Party as well." However, he added, "If Lee wins the election, the presidential term is five years. If Hong Junpyo rehabilitates his image over two or three years, he could be brought in as prime minister in the middle or latter part of the term."
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