Hong Junpyo: "If I Become the 'Big 1', the Presidential Race Will Change"

Presidential Candidate Interview People Power Party Primary Candidate Hong Junpyo

"I will pursue a 'package deal' with President Trump"

"There is no scenario without unification... Lee Junseok and others must come together"

Hong Junpyo, the presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at his election campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 21, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

"Creating a new nation is my final political mission"

Hong Junpyo, former mayor of Daegu and a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party's presidential nomination, declared, "After the era of national foundation, the era of modernization, and the era of democratization, we must open the era of an advanced nation," adding, "Creating a new nation is my final political mission."

During an interview with Asia Economy at his campaign office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul, on April 21, 2025, Hong said, "If I become the 'Big 1' (the final presidential candidate) through the primary, the landscape of the main election will change." He explained that if the race becomes a one-on-one showdown with Lee Jaemyung, the preliminary candidate of the Democratic Party, it will be a turning point that changes the current presidential approval ratings. He added, "With the possibility of an impeachment election in mind, I have prepared both party sentiment and public sentiment for three months," expressing his confidence.

As the first task he would undertake as president, he cited negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Hong emphasized, "Through a Korea-U.S. summit, we must negotiate a deal that bundles the North Korean nuclear issue and economic issues together." The following is a Q&A with Hong Junpyo.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo is declaring his candidacy for the 21st presidential election at the Camp office in Daehwa Building, Yeouido, Seoul on April 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

"The 1987 system must end... Let's move to the 7th Republic"

-What is the zeitgeist of the 2025 presidential election?

▲As I have declared, it is time to end the 1987 system of the 6th Republic. We must conclude the 6th Republic and lay the groundwork for the advanced nation of the 7th Republic.

-Your thoughts on the first primary debate?

▲There was nothing to be attacked for, so it went smoothly. This primary debate could not be fierce. Originally, the primary lasts about six months, and the main election about four months, but the biggest problem after the primary is reconciliation. Emotions can deepen during debates, but this time there is no time for reconciliation. That is why this primary debate is being conducted with considerable caution. I hope the debate will focus as much as possible on policies.

-You have to win both public sentiment and party sentiment. How are you handling this?

▲I have established a strategy and am executing it. With the possibility of an impeachment election in mind, I have prepared both party sentiment and public sentiment for three months.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, who announced his intention to run in the 21st presidential election, is speaking as he meets with Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly on April 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

"Once the primary ends, it will be a one-on-one with Lee Jaemyung... The main election will be completely different"

-What is the turning point in this presidential election in terms of approval ratings?

▲Right now, it is a 'Small Four' (four primary candidates) contest, but through the primary, I will become the 'Big One.' If it becomes a one-on-one with Lee Jaemyung, the landscape of the main election will change. The main election will be a completely different situation.

-Your view on the anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent?

▲Is there any scenario in this presidential election other than unification? The idea is that everyone who opposes Lee Jaemyung should come together. Of course, Democratic Party members cannot join, but non-Lee (anti-Lee Jaemyung) factions who are not in the Democratic Party need to unite again. We must also unify with Lee Junseok, a member of the Reform New Party. I intend to bring him in.

Kim Moonsoo (left), Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Junpyo, candidates for the People Power Party primary, are taking a commemorative photo at the media day for the 2nd primary debate to select the 21st presidential candidate, held at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on April 23, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers.

"Today's confusion arose because the opposition was not recognized as a dialogue partner"

-Given the opposition-dominated National Assembly, what are your plans for cooperation?

▲In 1997, when DJ (former President Kim Daejung) was elected, the National Congress for New Politics held 79 seats and faced an opposition-majority National Assembly for all five years. If a president cannot govern because of an opposition-majority legislature, that person is not qualified to be president. Today's confusion arose because the opposition was not recognized as a dialogue partner.

-With the economic situation and international environment both challenging, what is the first thing you would do as president?

▲Negotiations with President Trump. Through a Korea-U.S. summit, we must negotiate by bundling the North Korean nuclear issue and economic issues together. Since both are closely related, a package deal is necessary.

Hong Junpyo, the presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the election campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 21, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

"Swing voters judge by candidates and policies, not by parties"

-From an election strategy perspective, it is advantageous to appeal to the center. What is your view?

▲In real politics, there is no center. It is not a centrist group but swing voters. Swing voters judge based on candidates or policies, not on parties. They do not get trapped by party lines but look at the character or policies of the candidate and vote for the one that suits them. The groups that blindly follow parties without looking at the candidate are conservatives or progressives.

-What kind of president do you want to be?

▲After liberation in 1945, Syngman Rhee opened the era of national foundation, Park Chunghee led the era of modernization, and DJ completed the era of democratization. The Korea we pass on to our descendants should be the era of an advanced nation. I want to open the 7th Republic and create a new nation. Opening a new nation is my final political mission.

Interview conducted by Ryu Jungmin, Political News Editor

Compiled by Choi Yuri, Reporter