Hong Joon-pyo, a candidate in the People Power Party's presidential primary, declared his retirement from politics on the 29th, saying, "I will return to being a citizen now. I will go back to being a natural person and live a little more comfortably," immediately after being eliminated from the party's primary.
A prominent politician from a prosecutor background, Candidate Hong obtained the nickname "sandglass prosecutor" after investigating the 'slot machine incident' at the Seoul District Prosecutor's Office in 1993 and arresting powerful figures. This incident is also famous for being the actual model for the drama "Sandglass."
He entered politics by winning a seat in the 15th National Assembly in 1996. He then served four consecutive terms until the 18th National Assembly and completed his fifth term in the 21st National Assembly. He has served twice as party leader, as a floor leader, as the governor of South Gyeongsang Province, and as the mayor of Daegu.
Candidate Hong expressed his feelings about being eliminated from the second round of the presidential primary at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on that day.
He said, "Dear respected citizens and fellow party members, I am truly grateful to have graduated from my political life wonderfully and cleanly with your care over the past 30 years," and added, "My role in this presidential election ends here."
Candidate Hong continued, "Tomorrow (30th), I intend to leave our party, to which I have grown attached," and noted, "There is no longer any role for me in the party, nor is there any justification for me to remain in politics."
The People Power Party announced that Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon advanced as candidates for the third round of the primary to select the next presidential candidate. This is the result of combining 50% from a party member vote and 50% from a public opinion poll conducted over the two days of the 27th and 28th.
Candidate Hong briefly announced at a press conference at the Yeouido campaign office, saying, "I graduated early today," and added, "I now intend to put everything down and return to being a Seoul citizen. I hope to be able to meet in the market and on the streets without any burdens."
After the announcement of the primary results, scenes were captured of some supporters shouting or wailing in protest at the campaign office that day. Lawmaker Kim Dae-sik, who served as the secretary of Hong's campaign, and spokesperson Lee Seong-bae also shed tears.