[Yeouido Interview] Hong Seok-jun② "Ruling Party Unstable Even in TK? It Will Be a Blessing in Disguise"

"People Will Say the People Power Party Is Trying to Change"
"Severe Party-to-Party Conflict Causes Frustration and Cynicism"

Hong Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party seeking re-election in Daegu (Dalseo-gap), known as the "heart of conservatism," recently evaluated the party's situation as a turning point ahead of the general election.

When asked if the leadership change about four months before the general election was unsettling, Hong said, "It's like a teacher changing from a student's perspective," expressing a positive view. However, he added, "In 2012, there was also a change to the Park Geun-hye emergency committee right before the election, so this is not the first time," and said, "From my perspective, it is more likely to become a turning point."

This is because it could secure a "comparative advantage" over the Democratic Party. Hong said, "People might give credit to that party for struggling but trying to change," adding, "On the other hand, the Democratic Party has quality lawmakers declaring they will not run, while dozens of lawmakers who make offensive remarks or are under investigation remain. In that sense, I expect a completely contrasting image from the Democratic Party."

Interview with Hong Seok-jun, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He also judged that the general election landscape would be favorable to the ruling party due to former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon's move to form a new party. Hong said, "Regardless of what percentage of support Lee’s new party gets, it will ultimately be within the Democratic Party supporters or centrists," adding, "In that case, we will be very advantageous in the competition."

Hong analyzed that the party’s support rate struggling in the traditional stronghold of TK (Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province) would soon improve. He said, "The economic situation is not good, so the support rate inevitably falls. It comes back as the ruling party’s responsibility," and added, "In regions with strong conservative forces, there is also disappointment like 'Can't they even catch Lee Jae-myung?'" He then predicted, "Still, President Yoon Seok-youl’s approval rating is about 50% in TK. It will rise further as we enter the general election phase."

Hong expressed pride in the achievements made over the past four years. "First of all, the best thing was changing the regime to the Yoon Seok-youl government," he emphasized. He was the first in TK to declare support for President Yoon during the last presidential primary. However, Hong added a slight regret, saying, "The parliamentary decision-making structure takes too much time, and the 21st National Assembly has severe party-to-party conflicts, which causes great frustration and disappointment."

While preparing to run in Daegu, where it is said that "the primary is fiercer than the main election," Hong was also enthusiastic about his role in the nationwide party election. He said, "Since it is an evaluation of my usual parliamentary and regional activities comprehensively, I plan to finish and promote what I have done during the remaining time." He added, "The general election is not only personal but a full-scale party battle, so I want to play a role in developing good pledges for the 22nd general election for the party and the country." Hong also served as the head of the policy and pledge headquarters of Yoon’s presidential campaign committee during the last presidential election.

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