Hong Jun-pyo on Dismissal as Standing Advisor: "Taking Out Frustration on the Wrong Target... Appoint Jeon Kwang-hoon"

Published 13 Apr.2023 10:50(KST)

Updated 13 Apr.2023 11:01(KST)

On the 13th, following the People Power Party's dismissal of Hong Jun-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, from the party's standing advisory committee, Mayor Hong sharply criticized the decision, saying, "In that case, appoint the cursing pastor (Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church) as a standing advisor."

On the same day, Mayor Hong stated on his social media (SNS), "They are taking out their frustration on the wrong target."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although he did not mention specific details, the timing of his remarks suggests that he made the comments shortly after learning about his dismissal from the advisory position. He said, "That doesn't mean I will neglect the party that is going astray and just watch silently," adding, "The party is becoming ridiculous."

Later, through an edit, Mayor Hong added, "There are more than a few party members who criticize the party, so why not discipline them all? They don't discipline the actual problem parties but discipline me," and, "In over 30 years since joining the party, this is the first time I've heard of a standing advisor being dismissed." This was a pointed critique of the party's failure to discipline Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member who sparked controversy by opposing the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the constitution.

Previously, he had criticized Kim, who made controversial remarks after attending Pastor Jeon's service, and had repeatedly voiced concerns about the collusion between the ruling party and the so-called "asphalt conservatives." Regarding Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun's remark that "Pastor Jeon is not a member of our party," Hong criticized him, asking, "What kind of weakness have you been caught on?"