In 2008, Hong resigned as chairman of Herald corporation and was elected to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, representing Nowon District in Seoul.
[3] Upon return, Hong transformed Herald corporation into a content and lifestyle group with businesses ranging from media and education to natural foods and biodegradable plastics.
Through acquisitions and expansions, Hong is propelling Organica to serve as a benchmark for natural foods not only in Korea but also throughout Asia.
[8] A strong proponent of a plant-based diet, he has championed diverse initiatives to support organic farming and sustainable foods in Korea.
During his 4-year term in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, he won numerous awards, honors, and distinctions.
In 1993, Hong authored Seven Acts Seven Scenes, a memoir of his experience in the U.S. and China, which has sold over 1.3 million copies to date.