Hong Jun-pyo: "20 Years of Division Since the Roh Moo-hyun Administration... Both Camps Have Become Runaway Trains"

"Only Unity Is the Spirit of the Times"

Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, claimed that the December 3 emergency martial law incident was "a clash at the extreme point caused by intensified factional confrontation."

On the 20th, Mayor Hong said on his Facebook, "Since the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2002, South Korea has been divided into conservatives, progressives, right-wing, and left-wing, spending over 20 years in conflict, division, discord, and jealousy."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. Provided by Daegu City

He pointed out, "To resolve this emergency martial law incident, above all, dialogue, compromise, and communication are essential, but now both factions have become runaway locomotives facing each other without dialogue or compromise." He added, "Only unity is the spirit of the times, and only unity will be the best way to overcome the country's chaos and stabilize the nation, but there is no elder statesman to mediate this, and I hope the Constitutional Court will play that role. It is truly disheartening."

Earlier, in an interview on SBS's 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing' the previous day, Mayor Hong stated, "Even if the presidential election were held tomorrow, I am prepared." He said, "For 30 years, I have thought about and engaged in politics on how South Korea can become a prosperous country," and added, "Of course, I will run." He also expressed concern, saying, "The Constitutional Court is conducting the trial unfairly, which is very worrisome. Whether they accept or reject the case, the country will be in turmoil. If an impeachment election is held, we might have to hold the election in a state of civil war."

Mayor Hong also emphasized, "If it becomes an impeachment election, the spirit of the times must be unity," and said, "Creating a country without conflict and division should be the spirit of the times." He predicted, "Even if there is an early election, it will be difficult for the people to choose Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Both President Yoon Seok-youl and Lee will be cleansed." He added, "Our party's candidates will have a very fierce primary, and since Lee is a fixed figure, the situation will change again."

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