Former Mayor Hong Joon-pyo Announces Complete Break with People Power Party

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has reaffirmed his intention to completely sever ties with the People Power Party.

After losing in the party's presidential primary, Hong declared his retirement from politics and left for Hawaii, USA. Through his communication platform, he clearly stated his disconnection from the People Power Party.

On the 14th, a post titled "Aha, Joon-pyo's Intent" was published on Hong’s communication platform 'Dream of Youth.'

When a supporter of Hong commented, "The current situation must have been expected, right? I think I know why you’re doing this. It seems you want to show that you’ve disconnected from the People Power Party," Hong directly responded.

He stated, "I cannot maintain ties with a party that has been impeached twice. I revived it once, but the second time was unbearable, so I left that party."

"I cannot maintain ties with a party that has been impeached twice."

In addition, he commented, "I had to retire from politics, as they would criticize me for leaving the party. They are urgently asking me to return from their despicable group, but now I’ve lost interest and don’t even want to go near them."

"They are urgently asking me to return from their despicable group, but now I’ve lost interest and don’t even want to go near them."

Expectation for New Forces of Traditional Conservatism

Former Mayor Hong emphasized that his decision is not emotional. He remarked, "At my age of 70, how could I approach this emotionally? I left because it is a group that cannot be fixed."

"I left because it is a group that cannot be fixed."

He added, "Whoever is in power, I wish for my country to become a stable nation where both left and right coexist," and expressed his hope for the emergence of new traditional conservatives in this land.

Meanwhile, after announcing his retirement from politics and departure to Hawaii following his defeat in the party's presidential primary, Hong is reportedly receiving invitations from Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate from the Democratic Party, and Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate from the Reform New Party.

In this situation, the People Power Party appointed Lee Sung-bae, a former MBC announcer who served as a spokesperson in Hong's camp, as a spokesperson alongside lawmaker Kwak Kyu-taek. This is interpreted as a personnel decision conscious of Hong's influence.

Hong's recent remarks reaffirm his complete break from the People Power Party, and attention is focused on his future political actions and the party's response. Particularly, with the presidential election approaching, interest is growing regarding the potential for division within the conservative camp and what political choices Hong may make.

Image sources: Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo / News1, 'Dream of Youth', News1