Former Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, "I will wait until the world calls me again," hints at political return
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has made a public message suggesting the possibility of returning to politics. By stating, "I am not in a hurry and will wait until the world calls me again," the former mayor, who had declared his retirement from politics, has expressed his willingness to resume his political career.
"I am not in a hurry and will wait until the world calls me again."
On the 25th, Hong responded to a supporter’s advice in his communication channel "Dream of Youth," saying, "I will follow the natural course until I judge that I have exhausted my capabilities." This can be interpreted as an emphasis on his belief that he still has political strength left.
In particular, Hong stated, "The last two presidential elections were truly regrettable," reiterating his claim that despite winning public sentiment in the party primaries for the 2022 20th presidential election and the 2025 21st presidential election by bringing in external candidates aligned with pro-Yoon factions, he has been betrayed and deceived.
Ongoing Conflicts with the Mainstream of People Power Party, Possibility of Reform in the Conservative Camp
After failing to reach the final round in the presidential candidate primary on April 29, Hong indicated his retirement from politics by stating, "I graduate from my 30-year political life today and will return to being a citizen," and then left the People Power Party.
He then traveled to Hawaii in the United States and returned on the 17th.
Since his return, Hong has been raising his voice in criticism of the People Power Party and the conservative camp. He asserted that the mainstream pro-Yoon faction, which tried to maintain power by recruiting two prosecutor mercenaries (Yoon Seok-yeol and Han Dong-hoon), has ruined the party and the conservative camp, and strongly criticized that if they do not eliminate these individuals, "the People Power Party will not escape dissolution like the Unified Progressive Party."
Political Sphere: "Hong lacks the ability to form a new party… but may contribute to conservative reform"
Within the political sphere, there are views that while Hong lacks the momentum to independently establish a new party, he is expected to claim a certain share if the reform of the conservative camp begins in the future.
Hong's recent statements are seen as a strategic move for his political return, as he appears to be seeking his role in the upcoming reorganization of the political landscape.
Image Source: Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo / News1, News1
