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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Ex-Mayor Hong Demands Accountability for Yoon, Han's Entry into Politics Amid Election Fund Scandal

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo criticized figures responsible for bringing Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon into conservative politics, demanding they take political responsibility.
  • This call comes after Yoon Suk-yeol, a former presidential candidate, received a suspended prison sentence in a first-instance trial for election law violations.
  • If the sentence is finalized, the People Power Party could be forced to repay 39.7 billion won in campaign funds from the 2022 presidential election.

Hong Joon-pyo, former mayor of Daegu, has sharply criticized individuals he believes are responsible for bringing President Yoon Suk-yeol and former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon into conservative politics. Hong demands these figures accept political accountability, particularly in light of Yoon's recent conviction.

At this point, shouldn't those who brought Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon and ruined the conservative party in South Korea take political responsibility?

— Hong Joon-pyoFormer Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo's statement on Facebook demanding accountability from party figures.

President Yoon Suk-yeol was handed a suspended prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months, with 3 years of probation, in a first-instance trial for allegedly spreading false information during his presidential campaign. This verdict places the ruling People Power Party in a precarious financial situation. Should the sentence be upheld, the party may be compelled to return approximately 39.7 billion won (around $28 million USD) in public funds used for Yoon's 2022 presidential campaign to the National Election Commission.

Hong, who left the People Power Party after being eliminated from the presidential primary last year, has been a vocal critic of Yoon and Han. He has previously accused the party of being swayed by religious groups like Shincheonji and the Unification Church, which he claims were brought in by Yoon. Hong has also labeled the decision to nominate Yoon and Han as presidential candidates as the "worst choice" driven by self-interest rather than national benefit.

Shouldn't the clan media that supported them and misled public opinion also be responsible? And the YouTubers who followed them should also be responsible.

— Hong Joon-pyoHong Joon-pyo's criticism extended to media outlets and YouTubers he accused of influencing public opinion.

In his recent Facebook post, Hong extended his criticism to include media outlets and far-right YouTubers who he claims amplified the narrative supporting Yoon and Han, urging them to "come to their senses." He stated, "Because of you, the Republic of Korea is in this state."

Please come to your senses now. Because of you, the Republic of Korea is in this state.

— Hong Joon-pyoHong Joon-pyo's closing remarks in his Facebook post, expressing frustration with the current political situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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