Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo said on the 2nd, "Regardless of who takes power, my country, with its perfect system, will no longer deteriorate."
Hong, who declared retirement from politics after losing in the People Power Party presidential primary, noted on Facebook, a day before the presidential election, that "This is the first time since becoming an adult that I am not participating in a presidential election."
He said, "What is happening in my country across the Pacific Ocean appears very sad to me, but once tomorrow passes, a new world will open." He added, "In his later years, Kim Jong-pil referred to politics as 'a futile pursuit,' and I intend to leave behind the self-reproach of 30 years in politics in the Pacific Ocean and return with a lighter heart."
Hong is currently staying in Hawaii, United States. Presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo sent a special delegation to persuade Hong to join his campaign, but Hong declined the offer, stating, "While I firmly support candidate Kim, having left the party, I have no justification."