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Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo closes his eyes after being eliminated from the third round of the People Power Party’s 21st presidential primary, during an event held at the party’s headquarters in Seoul on April 29. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who recently announced his retirement from politics, on May 7 criticized the People Power Party’s leadership and the presidential office for their handling of the party’s primary process, while defending presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo amid ongoing conflicts over opposition unification.

Writing on Facebook, Hong questioned the recent criticism directed at Kim Moon-soo. “Why are people attacking Kim Moon-soo?” he asked, adding, “I feel compelled to speak about what I experienced during the primary before I leave politics.”

Recounting his own campaign, Hong claimed that he had initially secured support from 48 lawmakers and around 70 regional party leaders, which, along with leading public opinion polls, gave him confidence he would win a majority in the second round. “But the presidential office and party leadership abruptly elevated Han Duck-soo, trying to turn this election into a referendum on President Yoon Suk-yeol,” he said. “I doubted they would go so far with what was clearly a doomed strategy.”

Hong alleged that as this plan took shape, Kim Moon-soo “began referring to himself as ‘Kim Deok-soo,’” mocking his own perceived expendability. “The presidential office and party leadership thought Kim Moon-soo was controllable, so they backed him, aiming to eliminate me—who was seen as an obstacle to Han Duck-soo.” He added, “Those who had supported me quickly switched to Kim Moon-soo, who suddenly became the top choice among party members. I found out about this just four days before the second round.”

According to Hong, Kim Moon-soo cleverly turned this alleged scheme to his own advantage. “At that point, I no longer wanted to be part of such a dirty game,” he said.

He went on to accuse the presidential office and party leadership of hypocrisy: “Why not criticize Han Duck-soo, who openly positioned himself as Yoon’s avatar in hopes of a free ride? Why is it wrong for Kim Moon-soo to turn their dirty tricks back on them? Are your actions somehow righteous?”

He further warned that the ruling party was becoming an interest group rather than an ideological one. “Even if we lose, we should lose with principle. That’s the only way to rebuild later. But you—you're no different from the British Tories who disappeared for the same reason.”

Hong concluded by blaming President Yoon directly: “Yoon Suk-yeol is ruining the country and now the party. One wrong mercenary has tainted the nation and the party. ‘Oh, what a lamentable tragedy’—this is the moment for such a phrase.”