Hong Joonpyo: "I Never Expected Yoon to Be This Incompetent... People Power Party Handed Over Power"

Hong Joonpyo: "Conservatives Still Outnumber Progressives in South Korea... Pseudo-Conservatives Must Be Removed"

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo strongly criticized former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of the December 3 Martial Law and the subsequent response of the People Power Party.

On December 4, Hong reflected on the state of emergency and the response of the conservative party at the time, marking the first anniversary of martial law, through a Facebook post.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo (left) and former President Yoon Sukyeol. Photo by Yonhap News

Recalling the period of martial law, he wrote, "There was no valid reason for martial law, so it was abrupt. With the opposition holding an overwhelming majority, if the National Assembly had voted to lift martial law, it would have become nothing more than a midsummer night's dream. I wondered how they planned to handle the aftermath." He continued, "Daegu City did not even convene a senior staff meeting that day, and the night was peaceful. Martial law is not something to be taken lightly, so how could it be exercised so recklessly?"

Hong continued his criticism, targeting former President Yoon. He said, "Although (former President Yoon) insisted that the martial law was in response to legislative tyranny, the political responsibility for failing to lead the country through dialogue and compromise rested with the president and the ruling party." He added, "I was concerned about a president lacking political skills, but I never expected it to be to this extent."

He also addressed the issues with the People Power Party's response and strategy after martial law. He argued, "If the People Power Party had held a proper primary in this presidential election, they could have prevented the Lee Jaemyung administration. However, by rigging the primary in favor of Han Deoksoo, they handed over power to Lee Jaemyung." "During the last presidential candidate primary, I predicted that if power shifted to Lee Jaemyung, the Korean conservative camp would face an even harsher 'rebellion' frame than the Park Geunhye government scandal, resulting in a political ice age. Now, even if they call for internal unity, it is nothing more than a hollow echo without a unifying center, as everyone has different interests," he pointed out.

Finally, Hong remarked, "That party has long since degenerated from an ideological group into an interest group. Only by removing the pseudo-conservatives and returning to authentic conservatism will the path to revival open. Even now, conservatives still outnumber progressives in South Korea," he suggested.