[4] Hong ran as a candidate in the 2022 South Korean presidential election for the nomination of the conservative People Power Party and came in second place during the primaries, narrowly losing to Yoon Suk Yeol.

Hong graduated from Yeungnam High School and received his undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Korea University.

[7] On 20 October 2011, Hong criticized Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's The Beautiful Foundation (아름다운재단) for sending money to left-wing citizen groups.

[13] Running as an independent candidate, Hong won the National Assembly election of Suseong B in Daegu on 15 April 2020.

[15] On 26 April 2022, Hong resigned from the National Assembly after he was chosen as the People Power's nominee for the mayor of Daegu.

[16] Hong is famous for right-wing populist who advocate for social conservatism and hawkish view on diplomatic issues.

[18] Hong has publicly indicated that he believes that AIDS and HIV are a result of homosexuality, in order to attract the support of conservative voters.

In a televised presidential debate, Hong criticized Moon Jae-in on his stances on homosexuality and remarked gay soldiers were a source of weakness in Korean military.