Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo noted on the 19th, "What I am preparing for in politics is Daegu's administration and the next presidential election. Even if the presidential election were to happen tomorrow, we are all prepared."
Mayor Hong stated during an SBS interview on 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing,' "After the 'impeachment election' of 2017, I have always been a presidential candidate."
The mayor remarked, "What I have been doing for the past 30 years is thinking about how to make South Korea a prosperous nation and engaging in politics." He added, "Of course, I will (run for the presidency)."
He continued, "It is quite concerning that the Constitutional Court is conducting (the trial) unfairly," adding, "Whether it rules in favor or against, it will throw the country into chaos. If there is an impeachment election, we may have to hold elections in a state of civil war."
Mayor Hong stated, "If there is an impeachment election, unity should be the spirit of the times," and emphasized, "Creating a nation free from conflict and division should be the spirit of the times."
He added, "In the unlikely event that an early election occurs, it would be difficult for the public to choose Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party. We will eliminate both (President Yoon and Representative Lee)."
Regarding Representative Lee Jae-myung's statement the previous day on YouTube that he and the Democratic Party are in a position of 'moderate conservatism,' Hong said, "This is a show directed at the conservative camp," and added, "When someone talks, Lee says everything except breathing is a lie."
The mayor commented on Han Dong-hoon, a potential candidate from the ruling People Power Party, saying, "If Han Dong-hoon had acted properly as party leader, would this situation have occurred?" He criticized, "He is not thinking of helping the government but is instead threatening the president and veering off track, resulting in this situation."
Regarding the 'Myung Tae-kyun controversy,' he stated, "I am the victim. I am a victim of public opinion manipulation, but I suddenly became the perpetrator." He added, "Choi, who follows Myung, is a classmate of my son from high school. Choi said, 'It seems like he will cause trouble, so express gratitude to Myung.' It is said that my son just sent a text once or twice."
Concerning the December 3 emergency martial law, the mayor remarked, "The crime of rebellion is a crime of intent. It must aim at seizing power, but what intention does the president have to seize power?" He explained, "Although there are charges of disturbance, riot, and insurrection in the law, this time it did not even reach the level of disturbance, so it cannot be classified as a rebellion."
He continued, "Emergency martial law is the president's extraordinary power, and the issue is whether it is legal or illegal, but rather whether it is appropriate or inappropriate," adding, "It will be difficult for the Constitutional Court to rule in favor of (the impeachment)."