Hong Joon-pyo defends former staff in election fund probe

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo appeared at the Daegu District Court on May 27 in his capacity as a lawyer to defend former associates facing arrest warrants. The individuals, including a former accounting manager and a head of an election service company, are accused of violating the Political Funds Act and submitting false accounting reports during the 2021 People Power Party presidential primary.

Hong characterized the investigation as “excessive” and an attempt to target him despite his retirement from politics. He argued that the authorities should have investigated him directly if they suspected wrongdoing rather than pursuing his former employees. He further clarified that this investigation is separate from the ongoing allegations involving Myung Tae-kyun and unpaid public opinion poll costs, maintaining that he had no personal involvement with Myung.

The legal proceedings follow allegations that election funds were improperly managed and reported during the primary process. Hong stated that he felt compelled to intervene personally to protect his former staff from what he described as a bitter and unnecessary investigation.