Hong Junpyo Announces Return to Politics, Will Resume "HongkaCola" in September

Drawing a Line on Returning to the People Power Party
"I Will Not Rejoin a Party Destined to Be Dissolved"

Hong Junpyo, former mayor of Daegu, who declared his withdrawal from the People Power Party and retirement from politics after losing the June 3 presidential primary, has hinted at a return to politics.

Hong Junpyo, former mayor of Daegu.

On July 22, Hong announced on his youth communication platform, "Dream of Youth," that he would resume "HongkaCola" starting in early September. HongkaCola is the name of Hong's YouTube channel, which has 750,000 subscribers. The last video uploaded in May featured a political biography of Hong.

However, Hong made it clear that he would not return to the People Power Party. In response to a supporter who suggested three scenarios for his political comeback in preparation for the next presidential election?rejoining the People Power Party, running as an independent, or founding a new party?Hong commented, "I will not rejoin a party that is destined to be dissolved."

After losing the People Power Party presidential primary in April, Hong declared his retirement from politics, saying, "Thanks to your support over the past 30 years, I have been able to conclude my political career honorably and cleanly as of today, and I am truly grateful," before leaving for Hawaii, United States. However, he has continued to make political statements, including criticism of the People Power Party, through social media and "Dream of Youth."

Recently, through "Dream of Youth," he also mentioned the possibility of founding a new conservative party to replace the People Power Party. On July 2, a supporter commented on "Dream of Youth," saying, "It seems the People Power Party's vitality is fading. Public opinion, such as approval ratings and comments, is waning, and the phrase 'dissolution of an unconstitutional party' is appearing frequently."

In response, Hong said, "An alternative party to the People Power Party will emerge," and quoted the phrase "Mulgeukpilban" (when something reaches its extreme, it is bound to reverse).

He argued that, for the reconstruction of conservatism, it is necessary to dissolve the People Power Party and expel both the pro-Yoon Suk-yeol and pro-Han Donghoon factions. On July 21, through Facebook, Hong stated, "The core of innovation is to voluntarily dissolve the party, donate the party's assets to the state, and expel all pro-Yoon and pro-Han members who provided the pretext for the emergency martial law." He further claimed, "During the last presidential primary, former President Yoon Suk-yeol and the pro-Yoon faction plotted a fraudulent primary, resulting in the loss of power." He emphasized, "Only when new, genuine conservatives come together can public trust be restored."