Traveled All the Way to Hawaii...Hong Junpyo Says "My Position Remains Unchanged: I Will Return After the Presidential Election"

Hong Junpyo Reiterates: "My Position Remains Unchanged, I Will Return After the Presidential Election"
People Power Party's "Hawaii Special Envoy" Returns Home, Fails to Persuade

The People Power Party's special envoy delegation traveled all the way to Hawaii, United States, in an attempt to persuade former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo to join the election campaign committee, but it appears that their efforts ultimately failed.

After being eliminated in last month's presidential primary and announcing his retirement from politics, former Mayor Hong has been staying in Hawaii. On this day, he wrote on his Facebook page, "(The People Power Party lawmakers) have all returned. My position remains unchanged: I will return after the presidential election is over."

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

Previously, the People Power Party's election committee dispatched a "Hawaii special envoy" to persuade former Mayor Hong to join the campaign. The envoy consisted of Yoo Sangbeom, head of the unification task force; Kim Daesik, head of external cooperation; Cho Gwanghan, deputy head of external cooperation; and Lee Seongbae, spokesperson. The special envoy reportedly met with former Mayor Hong twice locally, on the 19th and 20th, conveying the wishes of candidate Kim Moonsu and requesting his support.

Yoo Sangbeom, head of the unification task force who met with former Mayor Hong, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjeong's News Show" on the 20th and reported that "former Mayor Hong said he supports candidate Kim and wishes for his victory." Regarding speculation about joining the Democratic Party, Yoo also relayed an interim response: "There is absolutely no possibility of joining hands with the Democratic Party."

However, despite the efforts of the Hawaii special envoy, it appears that former Mayor Hong ultimately refused to join the campaign committee. Previously, candidate Kim had asked former Mayor Hong to serve as chief campaign committee chair, but Hong declined. At the time, upon hearing news of the Hawaii envoy's dispatch, Hong stated, "I told them (the envoy) not to come," and added, "I feel sorry for Moonsu-hyung, but I have already left that party."

After being eliminated in the People Power Party's presidential primary on the 29th of last month, former Mayor Hong not only retired from politics but also left the People Power Party. Since then, after departing for Hawaii, he has consistently distanced himself from the party, issuing sharp criticisms such as "an organization that is beyond repair," "we need to start over from scratch," and "I feel such aversion that I don't even want to go near them."