'Pro-Moon Faction Leader' Hong Young-pyo: "Democratic Party's Endless Decline Due to 'Political Massacre'"

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“Pro-Moon faction leader” Hong Young-pyo declared his departure from the Democratic Party of Korea. He condemned the issues arising during the nomination process as a “political massacre” and vehemently expressed his anger at the “Lee Jae-myung factionalization.”

On the morning of the 6th, Hong held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, “I am leaving the ‘fake Democratic Party’ where democracy has disappeared,” and added, “I have endured all kinds of unfairness to stand against the great evil of the prosecution republic, but faced with the dead-end of unfair nominations, I have judged that there is nothing more I can do within the Democratic Party.”

Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference on leaving the party at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Hong criticized, “In this general election, we must judge the ruthless Yoon Seok-youl administration,” but “the Democratic Party, which has the grave responsibility to judge and check, is more focused on eliminating opposition forces than winning the election.” He particularly pointed out, “The precious values within the Democratic Party are collapsing. Intra-party democracy, which respected different opinions, engaged in discussions, and made adjustments, has disappeared, and the response to moral and judicial issues has caused great confusion to the Democratic Party’s identity, which has maintained ‘moral superiority.’”

He defined the Democratic Party’s nomination process as a “political massacre,” saying, “It is a public declaration of war to allow no criticism and to move solely toward ‘Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party.’” He continued, “From the bogus evaluation of elected officials to the exclusion of incumbents suspected to be decided by unofficial channels, the unreasonable designation of strategic constituencies in perfectly fine districts, and ultimately exclusion from primaries, the consistent goal was ‘Hong Young-pyo’s expulsion.’ Many candidates are outraged by the unfair primaries aimed at factionalization without principles.”

Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference on leaving the party at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

After announcing his departure, Hong told reporters, “Since the election is approaching, I plan to advance quickly starting tomorrow (the 7th),” adding, “First, the ‘Democratic Solidarity’ will meet to finalize specific schedules, and at least by early next week, we will complete the direction and tasks to be done.” Earlier, Seol Hoon, who had left the Democratic Party, announced plans to gather lawmakers who lost in the Democratic Party primaries through the formation of the ‘Democratic Solidarity’ to oppose the party. Hong is scheduled to meet with Seol Hoon, Park Young-soon, and Kim Jong-min, co-leaders of Saeroun Mirae, on the 7th.

Once the Democratic Solidarity is formed, the departing lawmakers are expected to seek an alliance with Saeroun Mirae, led by Lee Nak-yeon. Hong emphasized, “It is realistically impossible to create a new party within 30 days before the general election, but we must judge the Yoon Seok-youl administration and create a new alternative to the factionalization of the Democratic Party.” Regarding relations with Saeroun Mirae, he said, “At a time when we must unite, there should be no new disputes or confusion. We can resolve (the alliance issue) through sufficient dialogue.”

Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference on leaving the party at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding his recent decision to leave and his meeting with former President Moon Jae-in, Hong said, “We had extensive discussions and shared understanding on various issues,” but added, “He is not someone who directly participates in current politics, nor should he, so I will leave it at that.” After meeting Moon, Hong posted on his Facebook, “I expressed my concerns about the Democratic Party and the general election situation to former President Moon Jae-in, and he empathized with the sense of crisis and expressed regret.”

When asked about communication with former prime ministers who serve as advisors to the Democratic Party, he said, “There are people who call out of concern.” However, when asked if he might join forces with Democratic Solidarity, he replied, “No, it is not possible to create a new framework with only a few days left before the election.” Former Prime Ministers Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum issued a statement on the 21st of last month criticizing the problems in the Democratic Party’s nomination process and urged Lee Nak-yeon to “return to the original intention and give up small interests.”

Meanwhile, with Hong’s departure today, the number of lawmakers who have left the Democratic Party in protest of the nomination process has increased to six, including National Assembly Deputy Speaker Kim Young-joo and lawmakers Lee Soo-jin, Park Young-soon, Lee Sang-heon, and Seol Hoon.

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