"Hong Joonpyo, Don't Even Dream of Returning to Politics?Prepare to Be Investigated," Says Daegu Participation Solidarity

There Are Many Cases Besides 'Myeong Taegyun'
"Should Retire from Politics and Reflect"

On June 18, Daegu Participation Solidarity issued a statement saying, "Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo should not even dream of returning to politics and should instead prepare to be investigated."

Daegu Participation Solidarity stated, "After losing the People Power Party presidential primary, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo announced his retirement from politics and left for Hawaii, USA. He has now returned to Korea. Before returning, Hong wrote on his Facebook, 'It was a time to think about what I should do for my country in the future.' On his communication channel 'Dream of Youth,' he mentioned the possibility of dissolving the People Power Party and said that those who collaborated with the Yoon Suk Yeol administration should be expelled and a new start should be made. He also said he would address the possibility of forming a new party in due course. Some interpret these remarks as hinting at a return to politics."

Daegu Participation Solidarity

Daegu Participation Solidarity went on to say, "While Hong Joonpyo is second to none when it comes to blaming others without seeing his own faults, his political frivolity and irresponsibility have also reached their peak. However, the only path left for Hong Joonpyo is retirement from politics, not a return. If he still has any sense of duty to the country, he should quietly reflect on himself and properly undergo investigation so that the truth about the cases he is involved in can be revealed."

Daegu Participation Solidarity further criticized, "To local residents, Hong Joonpyo is nothing more than the main culprit who ruined city and provincial administration?a 'political peddler' wandering in pursuit of power, as he himself said. After failing in Yeouido politics, Hong became Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, where he ruined provincial administration by closing Jinju Medical Center, among other actions. As Mayor of Daegu, he canceled the establishment of the second Daegu Medical Center, abolished the Citizens' Roundtable, blocked civic participation, and recklessly pushed for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration, repeatedly causing regression and ruining city administration."

Daegu Participation Solidarity also stated, "In the meantime, he resigned mid-term three times in pursuit of power. In 2017, he resigned as Governor of South Gyeongsang Province to run in the 19th presidential election. In 2022, while serving as a National Assembly member, he resigned to run for Mayor of Daegu. This past April, he resigned as Mayor of Daegu to run for president. He deceived city and provincial residents with talk of 'future 50-year growth engines,' only to betray them overnight."

Daegu Participation Solidarity added, "To the public, Hong Joonpyo is the mastermind of the Myeong Taegyun Gate and a collaborator of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Every time he claimed ignorance about election fraud committed by his family and close associates for his benefit, his lies were exposed. He defended the illegal 12·3 Martial Law as a 'midnight happening' and supported the insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol. He erected a statue of Park Chunghee, the original insurrectionist and historical root of rebellion, making him the epitome of anti-democratic, ahistorical regressive politics. Rather than expecting anything from what such a person considers 'work for the country,' we are only filled with concern. We cannot help but advise him to stop worrying about the country and quietly reflect on himself. Hong Joonpyo is in no position to talk about 'expelling collaborators of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration,' and a 'new start' does not suit Hong Joonpyo, who is synonymous with regression. Hong Joonpyo, do not even dream of returning to politics," the group urged.

Daegu Participation Solidarity continued, "Hong Joonpyo must face not only investigations related to Myeong Taegyun Gate, including violations of the Political Funds Act and bribery, but also several other investigations arising from complaints filed by Daegu civic groups. These include violations of the Public Official Election Act related to the Daegu City YouTube channel, police obstruction of official duties and interference with assemblies regarding the Queer Festival, obstruction of rights related to the Daegu MBC reporting ban, and charges of insurrection propaganda in connection with the Yoon Suk Yeol insurrection. Hong Joonpyo, stop entertaining other thoughts and properly undergo investigation," the group concluded.