Hong Junpyo Clarifies: "'Two-Hour Martial Law Happening' Remark Was Criticism, Not Defense"

In Response to Supporter’s Criticism, He Says “I Called It an Absurd Act”
Claims “I Tried to Help President Yoon, But Communication Was Impossible”

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo claimed that his remarks were distorted in relation to the emergency martial law controversy and issued a clarification. This comes after criticism arose over his description of the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law as a "two-hour happening," with some accusing him of effectively defending the measure.

On June 27, Hong directly responded to a supporter’s criticism on his online platform “Youth’s Dream.” The supporter wrote, “Hong Junpyo was one of the people who made Yoon Sukyeol a tyrant. Your defense of Yoon Sukyeol’s attempted rebellion as a mere happening is the reason I left you.”

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo claimed that his remarks were distorted in relation to the emergency martial law controversy and issued a clarification.

In response, Hong clarified, “I was not defending President Yoon (former President Yoon Sukyeol); as a senior, I was trying to help him run the country well, but he is such a closed-minded person that things turned out this way.”

He went on to say, “When I called the martial law a ‘midnight happening,’ I meant it was such an absurd act. I also said he should handle the aftermath well. To claim that I was defending martial law is something only fools who cannot even comprehend language would say,” he stated bluntly.

He also referenced past experiences. “After the first presidential primary debate four years ago, I told candidate Choi Jaehyung in the elevator, ‘You should end your career as Prosecutor General. If you underestimate politics, your end may be miserable.’ My prediction turned out to be true,” he said.

During the People Power Party’s presidential candidate debate in April, Hong had stated, “(The emergency martial law) caused no real damage. It was a two-hour happening.” However, he emphasized that he also said, “He should take political responsibility and voluntarily step down,” making it clear that his remarks were not intended to justify the martial law incident.

After being eliminated in the second round of the People Power Party’s presidential primary, Hong announced his retirement from politics and left for Hawaii. He returned to Korea after about a week, and on June 25, hinted at a political comeback, stating, “I will not be impatient and will wait until the world calls for me again.”