Silent on the Possibility of Forming a New Party
On Questions About the People Power Party: "It Has Nothing to Do With Me"
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, who had left for Hawaii in the United States after losing in the People Power Party's presidential primary, returned to Korea after about a month. On the afternoon of the 17th, Hong met with reporters at Incheon International Airport and said, "I hope the country will stabilize as soon as possible." He added, "A new government has been launched, and I hope it will not engage in political retaliation but instead bring stability to the country through national unity." When asked by reporters whether he had made a decision about what to do for the country during his time in Hawaii, as he had previously mentioned, Hong briefly replied, "I will speak about it in due time." He did not respond to questions about the possibility of establishing a new party.
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo returned to Korea on the 17th through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1. Yonhap News
Regarding the People Power Party's claim that there is a party subject to a Constitutional Court dissolution petition, Hong explained, "You may not have seen it, but during the presidential primary, I said that if we lose the election, the party would face a petition for dissolution as an unconstitutional party. That was something I said a month ago." He continued, "When Representative Kim Daesik and other special envoys visited Hawaii, I also told them that if we lose the presidential election, the party would be dissolved as an unconstitutional party, so we must win the election." When asked about his thoughts on the five major reform proposals suggested by Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae, Hong dismissed the question by saying, "I have already left the party. I have nothing to do with that party anymore. So I have nothing to say."
Previously, Hong announced his retirement from politics after leaving the party immediately following his defeat in the primary in April. He departed for Hawaii on May 10 and returned to Korea on this day after 38 days. While in Hawaii, Hong strongly criticized the People Power Party leadership at the time, who had pushed for a single presidential candidate, through posts on Facebook. In addition, through the online communication platform 'Cheongnyeonui Kkum' (Youth's Dream), he expressed his support for Lee Junseok, the candidate of the Reform New Party, stating, "A vote for candidate Lee is not a 'wasted vote' but an investment in the future." Amid these developments, some in political circles believe that while it is unlikely Hong will immediately launch a new party, he may play a central role in future political realignment processes. In particular, as Hong has expressed a positive stance toward his supporters' calls for the creation of a new party, there are expectations that he could take on a significant role during a period of political reorganization.
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