Former Democratic Party Lawmaker Hong Eui-rak Announces Bid for Daegu Mayor, Says He Welcomes Nomination of Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum

"Asia Forum 21" Invited Discussion Session

Hong Eui-rak (age 70), former Democratic Party lawmaker, announced his intention to run for mayor of Daegu on December 16.

On this day, Hong appeared as an invited panelist at the Asia Forum 21, a gathering of veteran journalists from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. He stated, "Daegu is currently in crisis due to a combination of factors, including its closed nature, uniformity, rigidity, the loss of the Daegu City Council's oversight function, and problems within the media." He added, "I will make Daegu a place where women want to work and where elites want to live."

Hong Eui-rak, former Democratic Party lawmaker, is speaking at the Asia Forum 21.

Hong also said, "I want to make Daegu a city of artificial intelligence and a mecca for performing arts. I will turn Daegu into a different world." He revealed, "I have already decided to run, and I will officially announce my candidacy in January next year."

He continued, "Some members of the Democratic Party are suggesting that former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum should be nominated as the party's candidate for Daegu mayor, and I think this is a good idea. We need to create an atmosphere so that former Prime Minister Kim can run, including efforts to increase party membership."

Hong was born in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province. He previously served as a proportional representative for the Democratic Party, left the party in 2016, and was elected as an independent in the Buk-gu-eul district of Daegu before returning to the Democratic Party. Despite being a two-term Democratic Party lawmaker, he also served as Daegu's Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs under Mayor Kwon Young-jin of the People Power Party.