Hong Junpyo: "Dissolution of People Power Party Is the Price for Crimes, Not Political Retaliation"

Citing Insurrection Complicity and Candidate Replacement as Grounds for Party Dissolution
Refers to Unified Progressive Party Case: "Proceeding According to Rule of Law"

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, who returned from Hawaii, stated that the petition to dissolve the People Power Party is not political retaliation but rather a consequence for crimes committed. On the 18th, in a phone interview with CBS's 'Questioning Reporters,' Hong said, "I see two grounds for the People Power Party being ruled an unconstitutional party." He continued, "The first is that, through the actions of former floor leader Chu Kyungho, the party became an accomplice to insurrection, and the second is the attempt to replace candidate Han Ducksoo."

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo is interviewed by reporters after returning through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

First, regarding the 12·3 Martial Law, the People Power Party has faced criticism that former floor leader Chu convened lawmakers at the party headquarters to obstruct the vote to lift martial law. In this context, Hong criticized the party leadership's refusal to conduct an internal audit over the 'Han Ducksoo candidate replacement incident,' stating, "It is obvious that the leadership would oppose an internal audit," and added, "This is not an issue involving just one or two people."

Hong went on to say, "If you listen to lawmakers like Sung Iljong and Park Sooyoung, they mention that about 80 incumbent lawmakers signed in support of former Prime Minister Han. Doesn't that make those 80 lawmakers accomplices as well?" He further stressed, "The candidate replacement incident is even more significant than insurrection," and predicted, "Even if the party does not conduct an internal audit, the police investigation is ongoing, so it will not be easy to resolve."

Regarding concerns that the constitutional court review of the party could be interpreted as political retaliation, Hong drew a clear line, saying it is being pursued according to the rule of law. He emphasized, "There was the case of the dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party during the Park Geunhye administration. That was not political retaliation but the price for crimes committed." On the Lee Jaemyung administration, he said, "The era of Lee Jaemyung has arrived. There is no need for heated debate at the beginning of the administration. We should wait until the end of the year, observe how things unfold, and then make a judgment."

Meanwhile, after losing in the People Power Party presidential primary and leaving for Hawaii, Hong Junpyo returned to Korea on the 17th after about a month and stated, "I hope the new government refrains from political retaliation and that the country stabilizes through national unity." Meeting with reporters at Incheon International Airport that day, Hong said, "I hope the country stabilizes as soon as possible," reiterating his stance.

Regarding his claim that the People Power Party could be dissolved as an unconstitutional party, Hong explained, "During the presidential primary, I said that if we lost the election, there would be a petition to dissolve the party as an unconstitutional party." He added, "When the special delegation visited Hawaii, I also told them that if we lost the election, the party would be dissolved as an unconstitutional party, so they must win." On the five major reform proposals by Kim Yongtae, chairman of the People Power Party emergency committee, Hong dismissed them, saying, "I have already left the party. I have nothing to do with it."