Hong Joon-pyo Suspended from Party Membership for 'Flood Golf'... "Deserved" Evaluation

Regarding the controversy over Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo playing golf during a flood situation and receiving a severe disciplinary action of a 10-month suspension of party membership rights, evaluations within the party describe it as a "level that can be accepted." While some express concerns that this disciplinary action could shake his position as a presidential candidate from the ruling party, there are also voices interpreting it as a message from the Ethics Committee not to interfere in candidate nominations.

Jang Dong-hyuk, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on the 27th on YTN's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' that "For Mayor Hong, this is a disciplinary level that he can fully accept, humbly accept, and respect the Ethics Committee's decision," adding, "Many people expected that if he apologized and engaged in volunteer work at the flood site, the punishment would be around six months, or at most about a year." His disciplinary action was within the expected range.

Park Jeong-ha, a member of the People Power Party, also said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that "It seems like an inevitable conclusion. Mayor Hong caused a significant burden to the party during the flood process, which led to controversy, and in the process of explaining that controversy, he actually received more public criticism," adding, "Mayor Hong must endure this, and I think this was a conclusion within a reasonable range."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mayor Hong went to a golf course in Daegu on the 15th, when heavy rain poured over the Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions, and faced public criticism. He did not apologize immediately and instead confronted the public opinion through social media (SNS), saying, "Is there any regulation in the public service that says you can play tennis on weekends but not golf?" which further aggravated public sentiment.

He later apologized and visited flood-affected areas to volunteer, but the People Power Party Ethics Committee imposed a severe disciplinary action of a 10-month suspension of party membership rights the day before.

With his party membership suspended until the next general election period, speculation arises that his presidential ambitions might also be impacted. However, Spokesperson Jang said, "Although it cannot be said that there is no damage at all because of the suspension of party membership rights, the fact that it ended with just a suspension means it is not a situation where he must leave the party or be expelled," adding, "His status as a presidential candidate still remains." Mayor Hong also emphasized on SNS, "I still have a long time of three years," highlighting that his presidential position remains unshaken.

There is also a theory that this disciplinary action sent him a message of 'non-interference in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region general election.' Heo Eun-ah, a member of the People Power Party, said on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "What does the meaning of 10 months mean? It is after the general election. So, are you politically telling him not to interfere in the general election now?" adding, "I hope the Ethics Committee refrains from politics."

On the other hand, there is an analysis that even without this disciplinary action, it would have been difficult for Mayor Hong to influence candidate nominations. Former Minister Yoon Yeo-jun, known as the 'strategist of conservatism,' said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Even if this had not happened, it would not be easy. Because the TK region is an area where the People Power Party easily wins and has strong support," adding, "There are presidents and party leaders in the party, and while they would not completely ignore Mayor Hong's opinions, it is difficult for him to have a significant influence on candidate nominations."

People Power Party member Ha Tae-kyung also viewed that even if Mayor Hong makes statements related to candidate nominations, they would not decisively affect the nominations. Ha said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "Mayor Hong has publicly said things like 'Don't give nominations to so-and-so,' for example, 'Don't give a nomination to Ha Tae-kyung,'" adding, "He intervenes in all sorts of matters, but whether that is necessarily bad for the politicians concerned is something the public will judge."

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