Hong Jun-pyo: "The request for the dissolution of the People Power Party is not political revenge, but the price of sins."

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, returning from Hawaii, expressed a strong stance that the request for the dissolution of the People Power Party is not political revenge but the "price of the sins committed."

In a phone interview with CBS's "Questioning Reporter" on the 18th, Hong presented two reasons for why the People Power Party could be deemed an unconstitutional party.

Hong cited "the role of former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho in aligning with rebellion and the attempt to replace candidate Han Deok-soo" as grounds for the party's unconstitutionality.

Criticism has been raised that during the state of emergency on December 3, former floor leader Choo obstructed the vote for lifting the state of emergency by summoning lawmakers to the party office.

The Han Deok-soo candidate replacement incident is "more significant than rebellion."

Hong strongly criticized the People Power Party leadership for refusing to conduct internal party audits regarding the 'Han Deok-soo candidate replacement incident.' He pointed out, "It’s obvious that the leadership opposes internal party audits, and it involves more than just one or two people."

In particular, he remarked, "Looking at what lawmakers Seong Il-jong and Park Soo-young said, isn't it true that about 80 incumbent lawmakers signed in support of former Prime Minister Han?" and continued with pointed remarks, "Then, aren't those 80 incumbent lawmakers accomplices?"

He also stated, "The candidate replacement incident is more significant than rebellion," and projected that even if an internal party audit does not take place, the police investigation is already underway, making it complicated.

"The dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party was a consequence of the crimes committed."

In response to concerns that the judgment on unconstitutional parties could be interpreted as political revenge, Hong clarified that it proceeds according to the rule of law.

"Wasn't there the case of the Unified Progressive Party's dissolution during the Park Geun-hye administration?" he emphasized. "That was not political revenge but the price of sins committed."

Regarding the Lee Jae-myung administration, he showed a cautious attitude, stating, "The era of Lee Jae-myung has arrived, and there is no need for arguing from the beginning of the new government; we should wait and see how things unfold until the end of the year before making judgments."

Meanwhile, after dropping out of the People Power Party's presidential primary, former Mayor Hong, who had traveled to Hawaii, returned on the 17th and expressed his hope that "the new government will refrain from political revenge and that the country stabilizes through national unity."

At Incheon International Airport, he expressed his desire that "the country stabilizes soon" while meeting with reporters.

Regarding the possibility of the dissolution of the People Power Party, Hong explained, "I said during the presidential primary that if we lose in the election, we would be subject to a request for dissolution as an unconstitutional party." He added, "When the special envoy delegation came to Hawaii, I told them to win because if we lose in the presidential election, we would be dissolved as an unconstitutional party."

He dismissed the five reform proposals from Kim Yong-tae, the chair of the People Power Party's emergency countermeasures committee, stating, "I have already left the party. It has nothing to do with me."

Image sources: Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo / News1, Former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo / News1, News1