Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo completed his registration as a candidate for the People Power Party presidential primary on the 14th and officially declared his challenge for the presidency. As a testament to his candidacy as a strong contender for the presidency in the early June election, an estimated 1,000 people gathered, despite the rainy weather.
On that day in the afternoon, Hong opened his campaign office on the 4th floor of Daehwa Building in Yeoui-do, Seoul, declaring that he would run in the 21st presidential election. At the moment he entered, supporters chanted 'Hong Joon-pyo.'
A total of 17 current members of the People Power Party attended the event, including lawmakers Kim Dae-sik and Yoo Sang-bum, as well as Kang Dae-sik, Kim Wi-sang, Kim Sang-hoon, Kim Jeong-jae, Koo Ja-geun, Park Seong-min, Park Deok-heum, Baek Jong-heon, Yoo Sang-bum, Yoon Young-seok, Lee In-seon, Lee Cheol-kyu, In Yo-han, Jo Seung-hwan, Choo Kyung-ho, and Jo Bae-sook. Former lawmaker Lee In-jae and Lee Soon-sam, as well as Yoo Dong-kyu, former planning director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, who publicly declared support for Hong, also caught attention.
Hong stated, 'Only the judgment of the people and the choice of the sovereign voters can definitively condemn the corrupt and illegal criminals,' and emphasized, 'This presidential election is a choice between a Hong Joon-pyo regime and an Lee Jae-myung regime.'
He added, 'The future of a Hong Joon-pyo regime will be a Sunjin country of freedom and prosperity,' and emphasized, 'A nation stained with immorality and moral decay, a nation burdened with debts that the youth must carry, a nation rife with violations and unfairness. This is the future of an Lee Jae-myung regime.'
He highlighted, 'I was against impeachment,' and added, 'It is wrong to oust the president we elected through impeachment, regardless of judicial judgments on martial law. It was about giving an opportunity for self-resignation. Now we must unite our strength beyond 'pro-impeachment' and 'anti-impeachment' to win the presidential election.'
Hong emphasized, 'We must vigorously open the 7th Republic through constitutional amendments, surpassing the 6th Republic,' and stated, 'Immediately after winning the presidential election, I will establish a constitutional amendment promotion team directly under the president.'
Hong also stated, 'We will leap over the threshold of developed countries through regulatory reform,' and declared that he would promote a 'five-year plan for private-public economic revival.'
He proposed changing the regulatory method to a negative approach and establishing a Senate in the National Assembly to limit regulatory legislation. He also mentioned creating a 'Korean version of the Dubai Special Zone' similar to Dubai, where companies would advance into new technologies or new industries without government approval and receive ex-post approval afterward.
Hong stated he would execute the death penalty for heinous criminals and strictly deal with power-based corruption, organized crime, and major crimes to establish social justice.
He further mentioned revamping the college entrance examination system, which has thousands of variations, focusing on standardized testing and regular admissions. He suggested allowing students to take the standardized test twice and using the better score for admission.
Earlier that morning, prior to his declaration of candidacy, Hong informed Kwon Young-se, the chairperson of the emergency response committee, and Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, about his presidential candidacy.
Chairperson Kwon Young-se noted, 'With your refreshing comments likened to 'Hong Cola,' you have relieved the people's dissatisfaction,' and added, 'People expect a strong, capable, and emotionally resonant conservative voice, which is also sharp and pointed.'
Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong mentioned to Hong, 'During my tenure as a five-term lawmaker, I personally assess that you were the 'one and only' among 300 lawmakers. Your agility and political insight were outstanding in every aspect.'
He added, 'With Hong's entry into the presidential race, our party's presidential prospects will be revitalized, garnering more public attention.'
Former Commissioner Yoo Dong-kyu took the stage to deliver a congratulatory speech, stating, 'If Lee Jae-myung is elected, we will become crabs on rice. Please save us.' He continued, 'What Lee Jae-myung fears most is that Hong Joon-pyo comes out. The only candidate who can defeat Lee Jae-myung's tricks and confront wrongdoers is Hong Joon-pyo.'