Hong Joon-pyo, outspoken 'strongman' seeking second presidential bid

• Published Oct 7, 2021 1:38 PM KST
• Updated Oct 8, 2021 9:47 AM KST

This article is the fourth in a series on the major presidential contenders' leadership styles, campaign promises, strengths and weaknesses, as well as career histories ― ED.

By Jung Da-min

The rise of five-term lawmaker Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as a strong presidential contender for the next presidential election, slated for next March, is rather unexpected, considering that former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl had long been topping polls of potential presidential candidates and it was once thought Hong's golden opportunity had already passed, political watchers said.

Since early September, Hong has been surpassing Yoon in some popularity polls on potential presidential candidates of the main opposition party.

Both Hong and Yoon are prosecutors-turned-politicians but unlike Yoon, a political rookie who just entered politics in March this year for his presidential bid, Hong is a veteran politician who has served five terms as a lawmaker.

After entering politics by winning a seat in the 15th National Assembly in Seoul's Songpa-A constituency in 1996, Hong became the leader of the then-ruling conservative Grand National Party, a predecessor of the PPP, in 2011. He then became South Gyeongsang Province Governor in 2012 and served two consecutive terms.

In 2017, Hong was the presidential candidate of then-ruling Liberty Korea Party (LKP), a predecessor of the PPP. He ranked second after President Moon Jae-in, which some political watchers described as relatively “good defense,” considering the political situation unfavorable to the LKP in the aftermath of the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, who was from the LKP, over corruption charges. At the time, Hong appealed to voters by saying that a “strongman” with determination was needed in times of uncertainties.

After his defeat in the presidential election and the LKP's crushing defeat in the following local elections in 2018, Hong stepped down from the party leadership position. He continued his political activities as a YouTuber presenting conservative views on social issues but different from those of far-right parties.

Hong left the party after it changed its name to United Future Party (UFP) and took various measures in an effort to refresh its image for the 2020 April general election, as the UFP's nomination committee did not select Hong as a candidate for the election citing the need for reform. Hong won an Assembly seat in the 21st general election in Daegu's Suseong-B constituency as an independent.

Hong was admitted back into the PPP in June, after the election of the party's youngest-ever new leader Lee Jun-seok. Two months later in August, Hong officially announced his second presidential bid, saying he would “correct the nation heading in the wrong direction.”

Strong messages, straightforward but rough rhetoric

Hong has criticized the Moon administration, which according to him was too focused on political revenge while missing opportunities to revive the economy. He said the private sector has led the country's economic growth despite the government's incompetence and he will further help harness growth engines by easing regulations.

“Although the Moon Jae-in administration spent five years with the intention of revenge on the previous administration, the private sector has led to the country's economic growth,” Hong said in an interview with local newspaper Sedaily late last month, referring to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's recent changing of Korea's status from a developing country to an advanced one.

“The economy of Korea can be managed only when the economic system is changed based on the freedom and creativity of the private sector,” Hong said, adding that the country cannot hold onto previous economic growth policies when its economic status has been changed.

Hong said he would introduce a “negative” economic system in which the government intervenes or introduces regulations only in response to problems. “Such an economic policy of lifting regulations would bring enterprises back to the country while vitalizing their re-investments,” Hong said. He also said he would initiate labor reforms to prevent “unjust” activities of some powerful unions.

For security, Hong said he would seek to set up a Korean-style “Iron Dome” anti-missile system in regions with nuclear power plants as a preparation for any missile attacks by North Korea. He also called for redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons here and NATO-style nuclear sharing.

Political watchers said Hong's strong pledges could draw attention, but they could ultimately work to his detriment as the policies will face criticism and opposition due to their problematic nature.

"Hong's strengths are that he is a veteran politician with years of experience and that he presents policy promises with strong messages. Such policy promises, including abolition of the minimum wage and dissolution of some powerful unions, could appeal to people with certain political views, especially conservatives. Hong also said he would re-introduce the bar exam and abolish early college admissions while strengthening the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) system, which could appeal to the young generation who feel they have been deprived of opportunities for fair competition," political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said.

"However, these policy promises themselves are problematic, as they are ignoring previous social consensus for the current policies."

Lee said Hong's weakness also comes from his straightforwardness and lack of consideration, often observed in his blunt remarks and rough words against his political opponents.

"Hong can be seen as lacking the dignity to act as the president of the country," Lee said.

But Hong's rising popularity is also attributed to his straightforward and witty comments on political and social issues. Hong is beating other presidential contenders in terms of YouTube channel subscribers with about 443,000 subscribers to his YouTube Channel “TV Hongcacola.”