A key support group for former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo announced on the 13th that they would support Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea. They stated, "The People Power Party no longer deserves to be called a conservative party representing South Korea," adding, "We will work to ensure the election of Candidate Lee Jae-myung."
The group "People who stood with Hong Joon-pyo," composed of Hong Samo, Hong Sarang, People Integration Coalition, Hong Joon-pyo Camp SNS Team, Media Team, among others, declared support for the candidate at the Democratic Party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of that day.
Shin Young-gil, the chair of Hong Samo Central Council, stated in the declaration, "The turmoil in unification demonstrated by the People Power Party after Hong lost in the presidential election primary, followed by the selection of Candidate Kim Moon-soo, has left irreversible scars on the hearts of many voters who have supported conservative parties out of concern for the future of South Korea."
He further remarked, "The People Power Party no longer deserves to be called a conservative party representing South Korea," and expressed regret that, "A party that produced a president who was impeached by the Constitutional Court due to the declaration of a state of emergency still appears to be manipulated by insurrectionist leaders and former President Yoon Seok-yeol, which is truly regrettable and pathetic."
Chairman Shin said, "I believe that the politician who will lead South Korea to become an advanced country is Candidate Lee Jae-myung," and added, "Those who stand with Hong will ensure the economic revival of South Korea and the integration of the people regardless of ideology, thoughts, or camps and will work to achieve the election of Candidate Lee in the presidential election."
Kim Nam-guk, a supporter of former Mayor Hong, noted, "The People Power Party is not the conservatism we envision. Can a party that is still under the influence of former President Yoon, who was impeached by the Constitutional Court, be considered a normal party?" He added, "Our goal is to uphold the true values of conservatism."
He added, "It is not just about supporting Candidate Lee Jae-myung; helping achieve a landslide victory is a normal action for the true values of conservatism and the advancement of our country."
On that day, Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council member Lee Un-joo was also present at the support declaration. Lee, who entered politics in 2012 as a member of the Democratic United Party (the predecessor of the Democratic Party of Korea), switched to the People's Party in 2017. After passing through the Bareunmirae Party, she joined the Future Unification Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) in 2020. She returned to the Democratic Party of Korea last year after seven years. As co-chair of the campaign committee for former Mayor Hong in the 2021 presidential elections, she appears to have played a bridging role at this press conference.
Lee stated, "I understand that there is significant conflict within the People Power Party and the conservative camp regarding the impeachment of former President Yoon," and added, "Today, supporters of former Mayor Hong have boldly asked the people and politicians in South Korea the critical question of what conservatism and constitutional order represent."
He added, "I sincerely thank you for supporting Candidate Lee, who is currently struggling, and for standing with his intention."
Meanwhile, the gathering of supporters for former Mayor Hong stated, "We hope that former Mayor Hong quickly returns from the U.S. and unites with Candidate Lee Jae-myung to come up with good proposals."