According to Yonhap News on May 17, Hong made these remarks during a communication channel with supporters called "Dream of Youth," where he urged the formation of a new conservative party. He criticized the People Power Party, saying, "A group that has already lost its conservative identity must now disappear. The current People Power Party is a group for private interests, not national interests."
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Hong also predicted a high likelihood of victory for Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo in the upcoming by-election for the Busan North District congressional seat, stating, "The top three candidates are as clear as day."
After losing in the People Power Party's presidential primary last year, Hong left the party and declared his support for Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party's candidate for mayor of Daegu, last month.
In response, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jang-gyeom commented on Facebook, targeting Hong. He said, "Seeing him go this far, it seems that no matter how much he spits on the conservative camp, things aren't going as he wishes."
Kim referenced an article about Hong's comments and suggested that with Hong supporting Kim Boo-kyum and candidate Jeong Won-oh, it appears that candidates Choo Kyung-ho and Oh Se-hoon will likely win. He further criticized, "Isn't the term 'pseudo-conservatives' referring to those who sing 'let conservatism fail' when things don't go their way?"
* This article has been translated by AI.
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