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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Hong Joon-pyo denies PM rumors after lunch with President Yoon

From Hankyoreh · (9h ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Hong Joon-pyo, former mayor of Daegu, denied rumors of being offered the Prime Minister position after his lunch meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol.
  • Hong stated the meeting was a candid discussion about national stability and prosperity, not a negotiation for a political post.
  • He revealed he requested President Yoon's support for the TK new airport project and the easing of restrictions on former President Lee Myung-bak.

The recent luncheon between former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and President Yoon Suk Yeol has ignited speculation, particularly regarding Hong's potential appointment as Prime Minister. However, Hong himself has firmly dismissed these rumors, characterizing the meeting as a sincere exchange of views on national affairs rather than a political bargain. Speaking on his YouTube channel, 'TV Hong Car Cola,' Hong emphasized that the conversation was filled with 'good words for the nation's stability and prosperity,' interspersed with nostalgic reminiscences, far removed from any 'negotiation for a position.'

I wasn't there to negotiate for a position.

— Hong Joon-pyoDenying rumors about his lunch meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

From our perspective at Hankyoreh, while we respect the need for political dialogue, it's crucial to approach such meetings with a degree of skepticism, especially when they occur amidst shifting political landscapes. Hong revealed that he did indeed present two specific requests to President Yoon: strong support for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) new airport project and the relaxation of legal constraints on former President Lee Myung-bak, allowing him to contribute to the nation in his later years. He also mentioned advocating for senior politician Sohn Hak-kyu.

Good words for the nation's stability and prosperity were exchanged very naturally for about an hour and a half, and we also talked about old times.

— Hong Joon-pyoDescribing the nature of his meeting with President Yoon.

Hong's commentary on the state of politics, lamenting the loss of 'romance' and the descent into personal animosity, resonated with many. He recalled a time when fierce political rivals could share a drink and reconcile, contrasting it with the current climate. His observation that President Yoon also expressed a desire for politics to regain its 'romance' suggests a shared concern about the polarization of the political sphere. Hong's candid remarks about the past, including his advice to Yoon regarding managing the party during the Lee Myung-bak administration, offer a glimpse into the complex dynamics of South Korean politics, where historical context and inter-party relationships continue to shape current events.

Please support the TK new airport project and ease the legal restrictions on former President Lee Myung-bak.

— Hong Joon-pyoRevealing the specific requests he made to President Yoon.
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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