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Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport on April 17 after returning from Hawaii. He had withdrawn from politics following his defeat in the PPP’s presidential primary. / Source: Yonhap News

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has reignited speculation about a political comeback, suggesting that a “new conservative party” may emerge to replace the People Power Party (PPP), which he left after losing the party’s presidential primary in April.

Despite previously declaring his retirement from politics, Hong's latest remarks have raised questions about the possible formation of a new right-wing party. On July 3, during an exchange on the youth communication platform Dream of Youth, one supporter commented, “The PPP seems to be on its last breath. A new conservative party seems inevitable. Can conservatism rise again in such a perilous time?” Hong replied, “Mulgeukpilban (物極必反),” meaning “extremes beget their opposites,” adding, “A replacement party will emerge.”

When another supporter commented, “I hope the new party is centered around you,” Hong simply responded, “Understood.”

Later that day, Hong took to Facebook to criticize former President Yoon Suk Yeol and ex-PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, saying, “The Lee Jae-myung administration’s fury toward the prosecution originates with Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong-hoon. They seized power by exploiting political prosecutors and have misruled the nation for three years. Now the prosecution must share the burden of those eight years of chaos.”

He added, “Senior PPP figures who allowed this to happen can’t escape responsibility either. It’s time to clean house and start anew. We need to build a strong nation that’s no longer swayed by political prosecutors or partisan ideology”—a statement that many saw as further fueling speculation about a new party.

Hong, who returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport on April 17 after a stay in Hawaii, had announced his retirement from politics after his primary defeat, stating, “I am ending my 30-year political career and returning to private life.” But on June 25, he hinted at a possible return, saying, “I will wait until the world calls me back.”

Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party added to the speculation on July 1, saying in an interview, “While Hong hasn't given any concrete confirmation, I think a new party is a real possibility. He’s likely planning to make his final move during the local elections.”