Hong Joon-pyo, the former mayor of Daegu who announced his retirement from politics after failing to win the People Power Party's presidential primary, claimed on the 7th that "the Yongsan and party leadership colluded to suddenly elevate Han Duck-soo (former prime minister) and turned the impeachment election into a vote of confidence for Yoon Suk-yeol."
On the same day, former Mayor Hong said on Facebook, "I think I should reveal the primary process I experienced and then leave."
Former Mayor Hong stated, "As this (promoting Han Duck-soo) became a reality, Kim Moon-soo (a primary candidate at the time) called himself 'Kim Duck-soo' (a combination of Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo), and Yongsan and the party leadership were conspiring to push Kim Moon-soo, who was easier to handle, and to eliminate Hong Joon-pyo, who was an obstacle to Han Duck-soo."
He further claimed, "The people who supported me suddenly turned to support Kim Moon-soo, and in an instant, Kim Moon-soo rose to be the top in party member support."
Former Mayor Hong asked, "Isn't Kim Moon-soo using their covert maneuvers against them? Why don’t you criticize Han Duck-soo, who aimed for gratuitous transportation and claimed to be an avatar of Yoon Suk-yeol? Isn't what you guys did justified?"
He pointed out, "Even if I lose, I should lose with justification. That way, there will be a reason to rise again," adding, "Yoon Suk-yeol is ruining the country and now is also ruining the party. One poorly chosen mercenary is bruising the country and the party."