1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses former presidential candidate Hong Joon-pyo’s decision to withdraw from the election and retire from politics. He reflects on his long political career and the future of South Korea’s political landscape.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 대선 | daeseon | presidential election | He said that even if someone else takes power, Korea will not be ruined. |
| 국민의힘 | gungminuihim | People Power Party | Hong Joon-pyo, who lost in the second round of the People Power Party’s presidential primary election, held a press conference. |
| 이라고 | irago | saying that | He said that a new world will open up after the presidential election. |
| 말했다 | malhatta | said | He said that a new world will open up after the presidential election. |
| 허업 | heobeob | empty work, futile endeavor | Former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil said in his later years that politics is a futile endeavor. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
국민의힘 대선 후보 2차 경선에서 탈락한 홍준표 후보가 지난 4월 29일 서울 여의도 대하빌딩 선거 캠프 사무실에서 정계 은퇴 관련 기자회견을 했다.
Hong Joon-pyo, who lost in the second round of the People Power Party’s presidential primary election, held a press conference on April 29 at his election campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, regarding his retirement from politics.
연합뉴스 제21대 대선 투표를 하루 앞두고 홍준표 전 대구시장이 “대통령 선거가 끝나면 새로운 세상이 열릴 것”이라고 말했다.
A day before the 21st presidential election, former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo said that “a new world will open up after the presidential election.”
홍 전 시장은 국민의힘 대선후보 경선에서 패한 뒤 탈당해 미국 하와이 코나에 머물고 있다. 김문수 국민의힘 대선 후보가 특사단을 파견해 홍 전 시장의 선거대책위원회 합류를 설득했지만, ‘탈당해 명분이 없다’며 제안을 거부하고 하와이에 남았다.
After losing the People Power Party’s presidential primary, Hong left the party and is staying in Kona, Hawaii. Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, sent a special envoy to persuade Hong to join his election campaign committee, but Hong refused, saying that he had no grounds to rejoin the party after leaving it.
그는 “성인이 된 후 대통령 선거에 불참해 보기는 이번이 처음이다. 김종필 총재는 말년에 정치를 허업(虛業)이라고 했다”며 “30년 정치 생활의 자괴감(自愧感)을 태평양 바다에 떠나보내고 홀가분한 마음으로 돌아가겠다”고 했다.
He said, “This is the first time I have not participated in a presidential election since becoming an adult. Former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil said in his later years that politics is a futile endeavor,” and added that he would “send the sense of self-reproach from his 30-year political career out to the Pacific Ocean and return with a light heart.”
“정치는 허업”이라는 말은 2017년 김종필 전 총리가 노환으로 기력이 쇠해 병원에 입원했을 때 남긴 말이다.
The phrase “politics is a futile endeavor” was a remark made by former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil when he was hospitalized due to illness in 2017.
홍 전 시장은 “누가 정권을 잡더라도 한국은 안 망가질 것”이라고 말했다.
Former mayor Hong said that “even if someone else takes power, Korea will not be ruined.”
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Why did Hong Joon-pyo decide to withdraw from the presidential election?
- What did Hong Joon-pyo say about the future of Korea’s political landscape?
- What did former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil say about politics that influenced Hong Joon-pyo?
- Why did Hong Joon-pyo refuse to join the election campaign committee of the People Power Party’s candidate Kim Moon-soo?
- What is the significance of Hong Joon-pyo’s decision to not participate in a presidential election for the first time since becoming an adult?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The article references former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil’s view of politics as a “futile endeavor” (허업) in his later years. This reflects a sense of disillusionment with the political process that some experienced politicians in South Korea have expressed. Hong Joon-pyo’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race and retire from politics after a long career is also significant, as it marks a shift in the political landscape.