Hong Joon-pyo, former mayor of Daegu, said, "If I had gone to the Democratic Party at the recommendation of former President Roh Moo-hyun 30 years ago, I might not have experienced heartaches."

Hong Joon-pyo, who declared his withdrawal from the political arena after being eliminated from the Republican Party's presidential primary, reflected on his political life and expressed his feelings.

He revealed, "If I had followed the recommendation of former President Roh Moo-hyun 30 years ago and joined the Democratic Party, I might not have had any heartaches," showing deep disappointment in the current political landscape.

On the 15th, Hong addressed his followers through his online platform "Dream of Youth," stating, "I was elected as a member of the National Assembly five times not by the party's help but through my own efforts."

He continued, "During my two terms as governor of South Gyeongsang Province, I won the primaries with my own strength amid the persistent harassment and slander from pro-Park factions, and even while receiving an absurd 15% penalty in the primary contest for the mayor of Daegu, I won."

This seems to be a rebuttal to the previous remarks of Kwon Young-se, former chairman of the emergency measures committee of the Republican Party, who said, "A person who has been elected multiple times in this party shouldn’t behave like this now."

"Nothing has been given to me by the party," he strongly criticized the Republican Party. "I merely revived a party that was decimated after the impeachment of Park Geun-hye."

He explained, "Three years ago, when Yoon Seok-yeol won an overwhelming victory in public sentiment but suffered defeat within the party, I considered leaving the party but postponed it for one last challenge. However, after witnessing the fraudulent primaries this time, I left the party where I had buried my youth."

Hong characterized himself as an "outsider of the conservative camp," stating, "If I had gone to the Little Democratic Party at the recommendation of former President Roh Moo-hyun when I didn’t understand politics 30 years ago, I might not have experienced such heartaches for a long time in a party where loyalty, duty, and common sense do not apply."

He added, "I didn't come to Hawaii for a vacation; I have temporarily sought asylum to avoid the presidential election. I plan to return after the election. I hope whoever becomes president this time will profoundly clean up this dreadful political scene."

Having been eliminated from the presidential primary, Hong recently declared a "severance declaration" from the Republican Party.

He continues to express strong criticisms towards the Republican Party, stating, "I have lost my affection for this party," and "Looking at some factions within the party that are still flirting with those who ruined the general election, there seems to be no future for this party."

Image source: In 2021, Hong Joon-pyo, former mayor of Daegu, visited the tomb of late President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, and left a guestbook message / News1, Hong Joon-pyo, former mayor of Daegu / News1