Suspended Party Member Hong Jun-pyo: "I Still Have Three Years Ahead of Me"

Post a short statement on Facebook
"Let's stop the endless debate"

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who was disciplined with a "10-month suspension of party membership" over the controversy surrounding his "flood golf" incident, made a brief statement saying, "I hope there will be no more debates on this issue."

On the afternoon of the 26th, after the disciplinary announcement by the People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee, Mayor Hong posted on Facebook, saying, "I do not want the conflict to escalate and be reproduced any further. I still have a long time of three years ahead," expressing his stance.

The Ethics Committee held a meeting at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the same day and resolved to impose a 10-month suspension of party membership on Mayor Hong.

The committee explained the reasons for the disciplinary action as violations of Article 22, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 2 of the Party Ethics Rules (restrictions on gambling, entertainment, golf, etc.) related to playing golf during the flood, and violations of Article 4, Paragraph 1 (maintenance of dignity) of the Party Ethics Rules concerning media interviews and Facebook posts, as well as violations of Article 20, Paragraph 2 of the Ethics Committee regulations.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is leaving the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, after a meeting with Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on the afternoon of the 17th, responding to reporters' questions.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, it was revealed that Mayor Hong went to play golf on the 15th, when heavy rain poured over the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions, sparking controversy. However, he later stated that "there is no regulation in the public service that says you can play tennis on weekends but not golf," asserting that there was no problem, which led to strong public criticism.

On the 18th, the Ethics Committee decided to take up the agenda to initiate disciplinary action against Mayor Hong ex officio, and on the 20th, the disciplinary procedure began. On the 19th, Mayor Hong apologized, saying, "I humbly accept the criticism that playing golf during a nationwide flood warning situation was inappropriate."

Mayor Hong did not attend the Ethics Committee's explanation procedure on the day due to his flood relief volunteer schedule.

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