Supporter Mention and Response from Hong… First Official Assertion of Possibility for New Third Force Party
After being eliminated from the primary for the 21st presidential election by the People Power Party, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has effectively hinted at his intention to return to politics.
On the 9th, during a conversation with supporters in his political community 'Dream of Youth', former Mayor Hong suggested the possibility of founding a new party.
When a supporter said, "I hope there will be a new party centered around Hong Ka (Hong Joon-pyo). Existing parties cannot accommodate Hong Ka. I hope politicians gather around Hong Ka in the new party after the People Power Party collapses," former Mayor Hong simply responded, "I understand."
This statement is interpreted as Hong leaving open the possibility of directly restructuring political forces in line with future reconfigurations in the conservative camp.
"Pseudo-Conservative Forces Must Be Eliminated… Two-Party System Has Reached Its Limit"
On the previous day (8th), former Mayor Hong also strongly criticized the current conservative party through Facebook, emphasizing the need for a new political force. He stated, "The pseudo-conservative party, which is part of the two-party system, must now be eliminated," arguing that "the current pseudo-conservative party is a group of corrupted lemmings that cannot be salvaged."
He continued, "The era of Lee Jae-myung will be a dark age of revenge and arrogance," insisting that "a new political force prioritizing national interest must emerge to confront the arrogant regime of the Democratic Party."
In particular, he added, "Youth from both the conservative and progressive sides must unite to prepare for a new era," expressing, "Right now, it's lamentable that there's nothing I can do."
Denial of the Possibility of Rejoining the People Power Party
Former Mayor Hong clarified his position regarding the possibility of rejoining the People Power Party.
In response to a supporter’s comment on 'not closing the door to returning to the People Power Party' posted in Dream of Youth, he stated, "The Lee Jae-myung regime may request an unconstitutional disbanding of the People Power Party due to the conspiracy of insurrection and the forced replacement of candidates. The starting point is the passage of the Special Act on Insurrection." This diagnosis, indicating uncertainty about the party's very existence, suggests that rejoining is practically difficult.
He also drew a line regarding the possibility of joining the Reform Party, which has been brought up in some discussions.
Joining the Reform Party is 'a rumor,' yet there is some leeway left.
He dismissed a supporter’s concern that "if former Mayor Hong goes to the Reform Party, he'll be seen as a bat" by calling it a "rumor." However, to a supporter who said, "It would be fine to go to the Reform Party next year," he responded with "I understand," indicating that he does not completely exclude the possibility of an alliance with Representative Lee Jun-seok.
Former Mayor Hong's repeated statements are interpreted as gradually revealing his intention to position himself at the center of the new political reorganization phase, addressing the potential for the disbandment of the People Power Party, doubts about the current conservatives, and the necessity of a third force.
Image source: Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo / News1, News1
