Kim Ki-hyun vs Hong Joon-pyo 'Round 2'... Battle for Next Leadership?

Hong Jun-pyo "Apologize for Not Considering Public Sentiment" Flood Golf Apology
Kim Ki-hyun Orders Fact-Finding, Ethics Committee Proceeding
"Power Struggle Between Hong and Kim Over Next Leadership"

Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo officially apologized on the 19th for playing golf during the heavy rains that caused nationwide damage last weekend. This came just four days after the controversy over his 'flood golf' emerged and one day after Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, ordered an investigation into the matter. In political circles, this is seen as a replay of the power struggle between Mayor Hong, who is considered a potential next presidential candidate, and the ruling party leadership.

On the same day, Mayor Hong held a press conference at the Dongin Office of Daegu City Hall and stated, "I humbly accept the criticism that it was inappropriate given the nationwide concerns about flood damage." This preemptive apology came after the party's Central Ethics Committee announced the day before that it would discuss whether to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Mayor Hong.

The party's Ethics Committee will decide on the 20th whether to start disciplinary action related to Mayor Hong's golf controversy. Yoo Sang-beom, spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly, "Article 22 of the party's ethics rules strictly prohibits golf or entertainment events during times of national hardship or when public consolation is needed, such as natural disasters. The Ethics Committee is taking Mayor Hong's golf activity very seriously and has convened to decide whether to initiate disciplinary action." He added, "Since Mayor Hong has apologized, this may be taken into consideration in the Ethics Committee's judgment."

"Expulsion of Hong Moon-jong"... Party Leadership Takes 'Hard Line'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The party leadership referenced the case of former lawmaker Hong Moon-jong, who was expelled for playing golf during flood damage, hinting at the possibility of severe disciplinary action against Mayor Hong. Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member, appeared on CBS Radio that morning and said, "We cannot ignore the case of lawmaker Hong Moon-jong or other incidents in the political sphere where playing golf during flood situations caused social controversy." Spokesperson Yoo also said that "former lawmaker Hong was expelled for causing controversy by playing golf during a natural disaster" and "our party has a precedent of strictly responding to controversies caused by golf or similar activities during natural disasters, which will be referenced."

Earlier, as the controversy over Mayor Hong's flood golf expanded, party leader Kim Ki-hyun ordered a party-level investigation. Kang Min-guk, chief spokesperson, briefed reporters after the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly the day before, stating that an investigation into Mayor Hong is underway following Kim's directive. Kang explained, "The party is taking this matter very seriously, and after first investigating the facts and circumstances, there will likely be discussions on follow-up measures."

'Bad Blood' Kim Ki-hyun vs. Hong Jun-pyo... Next Leadership Power Game

Political circles analyze that this controversy over Mayor Hong's flood golf marks the resumption of a 'tug-of-war' for leadership within the ruling party.

Previously, in April, Kim and Mayor Hong had a falling out over the 'Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon' controversy. At a gathering after the party convention, then Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won made a remark alongside Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, saying "Pastor Jeon unified the right-wing camp," which sparked controversy. Mayor Hong publicly criticized the party leadership and called for severe disciplinary action.

Subsequently, before disciplining former Supreme Council member Kim, Leader Kim took the strong step of dismissing Mayor Hong from his position as permanent advisor. At the Supreme Council meeting just before the dismissal, Kim said, "Some individuals' excessive verbal disputes inside and outside the party leadership have crossed the line," directly targeting Mayor Hong.

In response, Mayor Hong posted on social media, "I will actively express my opinions on the overall political situation to secure victory in the general election," adding, "I am not part of this team (Kim Ki-hyun's leadership), but will do politics with those who survive next year." He also seemingly aimed at Kim, stating, "If petty politics are not ended this time, a bigger crisis may come."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In May, after meeting Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Mayor Hong directly criticized Kim Ki-hyun, saying, "Most people in the presidential office under the Yoon Seok-youl administration do not understand politics well," and "The leader is petty, so when you speak up, he dismisses you from the permanent advisor position."

Attempt to Divert Negative Public Opinion on the Presidential Office?

Some critics argue that the People Power Party leadership's swift move to quell Mayor Hong's flood golf controversy was a tactic to divert negative public opinion related to President Yoon Seok-youl's overseas trip last month. A ruling party official said, "The presidential office's gaffes in flood response and First Lady Kim Geon-hee's shopping issues were all overshadowed by the Mayor's golf controversy," adding, "It seems they used the excuse of controlling party members' speech amid public dissatisfaction caused by the flood very well."

Earlier, suspicions arose that the presidential office's intentions influenced the party leadership's decision to dismiss Mayor Hong from the permanent advisor position. At that time, Mayor Hong appeared on MBC's '100-Minute Debate' and said, "The people elected a president without political skills," which reportedly upset President Yoon.

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