Hong Jun-pyo's Sharp Remark: "The First Lady as the Main Character, No Such Boisterous Activities Before"

Advice to President Yoon from Hong: "Please Watch Your Surroundings Carefully"
"Also Warn Against the Disgraceful Behavior of Yoon's Core Supporters"

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, advised President Yoon Seok-yeol that "management of surrounding personnel is necessary."

On the 21st, Mayor Hong wrote on Facebook, "Although no one is speaking out and everyone is keeping quiet, I am saying this because I believe it is absolutely necessary to prevent the political turmoil that may occur in the future."

Mayor Hong first commented on First Lady Kim Keon-hee, saying, "Since the establishment of the First Lady system, there has never been a case where the First Lady became the main political figure, nor has she engaged in flashy external activities," and pointed out, "The role of the First Lady is to quietly stay behind the president, find areas the president cannot oversee, or avoid the news and care for the people in the shadows."

He continued, "It is also an unusual phenomenon that a fan cafe was created for a First Lady who is not a politician, and it is absurd that the person who is the head of that fan cafe is acting arrogantly and disciplining ruling party members." Kang Shin-up, a lawyer and head of Kim’s fan club 'Geonhee Sarang,' recently sparked controversy by making continuous critical remarks about politicians. In response, Kim expressed through text messages to acquaintances that Kang’s statements and her own intentions are completely unrelated.

Mayor Hong stated, "The reason Kim Jung-sook drew public resentment was due to a simple rumor that she walked ahead of President Moon Jae-in in public appearances early in his administration," and argued, "The reason politicians are shunned by the public is not because of straight news but because gossip articles combined with fake news spread as rumors. It is inappropriate and impossible to clarify such rumors."

He further pointed out, "Recently, during the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, the public’s focus was not on the president’s national interest diplomacy but on the First Lady’s necklace and bracelet. It was a rumor combined with fake news and gossip intended to provoke the public."

Finally, Mayor Hong concluded, "Please carefully observe your surroundings and promptly appoint a special inspector to manage relatives. Also, warn the disgraceful behavior of the so-called Yoon Core Group (key associates of President Yoon Seok-yeol)." He added, "The downfall of Korean presidents always begins with the rise of close aides and relatives. I wrote this message out of concern after witnessing a series of worrying incidents recently while on the SRT heading to Daegu."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.