Jeon Han Gil Claims "Offered Asylum in the U.S."... Some in People Power Party Say "He Seems to Have Been Cut Off"

Jeon Han Gil Remains in the U.S. for Two Weeks
Claims to Have Received "Asylum Offer"
Changing Mood Detected in People Power Party...
"No One Is Looking After Jeon Han Gil"

Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history instructor who departed for Washington, D.C., the United States, on August 25 for the South Korea-U.S. summit and has remained in the U.S. since then, claimed that he "received an offer of asylum from the U.S. side."

Han Gil Jeon, Former Korean History Instructor.

On September 8, through his YouTube channel, Jeon stated, "I have been told to seek asylum, and there have even been suggestions from within the United States that it would be better for me to apply for asylum." Jeon, who has been in the U.S. for over two weeks, added that he could not disclose his current location for his personal safety.

Since the December 3 Martial Law, Jeon has opposed former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and has claimed election fraud, among other issues. He explained that his visit to the U.S. during the South Korea-U.S. summit was "to inform the international community about human rights violations against former President Yoon, the unfairness of the special investigation into insurrection, and issues such as media suppression."

Recently, he has expanded his activities as a speaker within the conservative camp, founding "Jeon Hangil News" and broadening his influence. He has also sought to raise his profile and demonstrate his influence at the People Power Party convention.

In particular, on September 9, through Jeon Hangil News, he stated, "Right now, 'Jeon Hangil News' has 530,000 subscribers. If all of them join the People Power Party as members, we could easily sway the party, which currently has 750,000 members." He also claimed that the Democratic Party of Korea, President Lee Jaemyung, and former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon fear "Jeon Hangil" the most, adding, "(Because of this) People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is trying to sow discord and exclude me."

Changing Atmosphere Within People Power Party... "Signs of Cutting Ties with Jeon Hangil"

Jeon Hangil, former Korean history instructor. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, contrary to Jeon's claims, a shift in sentiment is being detected within the People Power Party. Some within the party are now asserting that "Leader Jang has abandoned Jeon Hangil."

On September 10, during an interview on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus," People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jaeseop said, "In my view, Leader Jang seems to have abandoned Jeon. When Jang was first elected, there were even rumors that 'Jeon Hangil would now take on a key party role,' but Leader Jang immediately began to distance himself, referring to Jeon as a 'volunteer soldier.'"

He continued, "At the time, it felt like Leader Jang was telling Jeon to operate outside the party, essentially cutting ties with him, and since then, it seems as though there has been a 'feeding ban' on Jeon." He added that after Leader Jang's remarks, "suddenly, no one is looking after Jeon anymore."