Hong Junpyo Says, "I Will Go with the Flow of Time and Follow the Natural Order Until I Judge That My Abilities Have Been Exhausted"
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, who declared his withdrawal from the People Power Party and retirement from politics after losing the presidential primary, has drawn attention by making remarks that appear to hint at a political comeback, saying, "I will not be impatient and will wait until the world calls for me again."
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo is being interviewed by reporters after returning through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 25th, Hong responded on his supporter communication platform, 'Youth's Dream,' when a supporter suggested, "It would be good to take a long-term view, calmly wait for the right time, speak more precisely about the Han Ducksoo rigged primary, and gradually win people over by holding more public events." He replied in this manner.
He continued, "I will go with the flow of time and follow the natural order until I judge that my abilities have been exhausted," emphasizing that he still has capabilities left. He also said, "The last two presidential elections were truly regrettable." This is interpreted as reiterating his position that the results of the 20th presidential election in 2022 and the 21st presidential primary in 2025 were overturned due to the intervention of outside forces.
A message from former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, which can be interpreted as a move to resume his political career, has caught my attention. Capture of Youth's Dream
In April, after losing to presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo in the People Power Party’s presidential primary, Hong declared his departure from the party and retirement from politics, and chose to go to Hawaii, United States. Afterwards, when the People Power Party moved to cancel Kim Moonsoo's candidacy and replace him with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Hong claimed, "Yongsan and the party leadership were plotting to push Kim Moonsoo, whom they considered easy to beat, and to eliminate Hong Junpyo, who would be an obstacle to Han Ducksoo, by orchestrating this during the primary process."
Regarding the 20th presidential election, he stated, "I started the presidential primary in August 2021 with a 4% approval rating, but two and a half months later, my public support exceeded Yoon Sukyeol's by 10.27%. Even so, I lost in the party member vote?which was a rigged primary using double standards, party vested interests, and Shincheonji?and gave up my candidacy, returning to Daegu as mayor."
After returning from Hawaii on the 17th, Hong has continued to criticize the People Power Party, saying things like, "The People Power Party will not be able to avoid dissolution like the Unified Progressive Party." Speculation is rising about Hong's next steps, including rumors of joining the Reform Party or forming an alliance with lawmaker Lee Junseok.
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