Hong Joon-pyo, a candidate in the People Power Party’s primary for the presidential election, enters a press conference to present his vision in the social, education, and culture sectors at his election office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of April 18. On the left is Rep. Kim Dae-sik. 2025.4.18/News1 © News1 Kim Min-ji reporter.
(Seoul=News1) Senior Reporter Park Tae-hoon = The People Power Party’s delegation, which went to Hawaii’s Big Island to persuade former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, plans to hold a full discussion on the evening of the 20th regarding Hong’s joining the Kim Moon-soo election committee.
Rep. Kim Dae-sik, who stayed with Rep. Yoo Sang-beom in Kona, Hawaii, mentioned on Channel A Radio’s “Politics Signal” that “we had many conversations from yesterday evening for over four hours to ease Mayor Hong’s grievances,” and only such issues were discussed at the dinner, without sensitive issues like joining the Kim Moon-soo election committee being addressed.
However, he explained, “Mayor Hong said that ‘a grand unification of conservatives should happen,’ and that as someone who started politics over 30 years ago with candidate Kim Moon-soo, he would actively support Kim and hoped for his victory,” indicating Hong’s great affection for candidate Kim Moon-soo.
He further shared that “(Former Mayor Hong) mentioned that he would make any announcements through ‘Rep. Kim Dae-sik’s mouth.'”
Furthermore, Rep. Kim noted, “I plan to meet again this evening to listen to a series of remarks regarding the grand unification of conservatives,” and “I will discuss specific topics regarding the unification of conservative candidates and joining the Kim Moon-soo election committee tonight.”
Regarding the “Hong Joon-pyo wearing a blue tie” photo that became a topic, he explained, “Originally, that color was our color during the Grand National Party. It seems Mayor Hong had a lot of intentions to ‘return to his initial mindset when he entered politics,'” and stated, “Amid ongoing debates, we came to Hawaii and changed it to a (red tie photo).”
He emphasized, “There should absolutely be no misunderstanding that Former Mayor Hong supports the Democratic Party,” clarifying that anyone with some knowledge of him would not have such a misunderstanding.