Han Seon-kyo "Resigning as Future Korea Party Leader... My Reform Blocked by 'Ridiculous People'" (Summary)

Han Sun-kyo, leader of the Future Korea Party, is entering the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, on the 18th to attend the Supreme Council meeting held at the party headquarters. As the Future Korea Party, a satellite party for proportional representation of the United Future Party, pushes the recruited talents of the United Future Party out of the winning list of proportional representation candidates, internal conflicts between the Future Korea Party and the United Future Party are intensifying. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Han Seon-kyo, leader of the Future Korea Party, resigned from his position as party leader, stating that "my reforms have been blocked by trivial people." He stepped down in protest after the proportional representation candidate list was rejected by the election committee on the same day. He also requested that the proportional representation list not be changed.

On the 19th, at a press conference held at the Future Korea Party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Han said, "My political career's final chapter, dedicated to serving the party and the nation and leaving a truly good legacy, has been blocked by truly trivial people."

He added, "With the power of the opposition, which is less than a handful, corrupt power has blocked my reforms," and declared, "I resign from the position of Future Korea Party leader as of this moment." When asked if the "trivial people" referred to Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn, he replied, "No, they do not."

Han submitted a revised proportional representation candidate list to the election committee vote on the same day, responding to the opposition from the United Future Party regarding the list he prepared on the 16th. However, it was rejected with 47 votes against, 13 in favor, and 1 invalid vote. His resignation appears to be a protest against this outcome.

Han also criticized members of the United Future Party who opposed him. He said, "A senior official of the United Future Party said, 'If Han Seon-kyo does well in this election and becomes a parliamentary negotiation group, he might obstruct us, so we need to create a party rule to make him step down.' The director relayed this meeting content to me, and it is truly trivial that someone who has been a member of the National Assembly for only a few months said that."

Han emphasized, "I took on this role with a clear mind and pure spirit, thinking I would make a small contribution to the party and the people at the end. But I could not compromise with those who wield power that is hardly power at all. Therefore, I pushed forward with the election committee vote, and I am not at all regretful about stepping down as leader." He choked up during his speech and paused to drink water.

He urged that the newly created proportional representation list not be altered. He said, "If the list within the top 20 is changed, I will not remain silent." He added, "I have a lot to say, but it is appropriate to talk after the April 15 general election." Regarding the controversial existing proportional representation list, he called it a "decent nomination" and said, "I wanted to eliminate secret nominations and publicly present good candidates to the people, but the few people in this party who hold less than a handful of power blocked my small dream, which is regrettable."

However, he expressed regret that former Independence Hall Director Yoon Joo-kyung was pushed down to a lower priority on the existing proportional representation list. He explained, "The young nomination committee members expressed concerns that Director Yoon might be lacking compared to the fighting power of the younger generation, which led to her being placed lower on the list. Many supporters of the conservative right were worried about the proportional representation list, so I persuaded the nomination committee chair from morning till night to make a change."

He said, "Despite being attacked by the media for several days, I did not say a word because I did not want party strife caused by me to ruin this general election. It was out of a sincere desire that, like the 2016 20th general election four years ago, we must not lose the majority to the left-wing government due to internal party conflicts."

However, he revealed that there were voices internally urging him to resign. Han explained, "About 60 people attended the vote today, and one of the 13 who voted in favor called me and said, 'Someone is telling you to do this or that (to resign). Are you ready?' I said I was ready. I have been preparing for this moment for several days."