Former Leader Lee Jun-seok Mentions 'Han Dong-hoon Emergency Committee Rumor'
Jo Jeong-hoon: "Emergency Committee Chair Rumor... General Election Is Possible"
As photos of Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, and his spouse volunteering have attracted media attention, speculation that Minister Han will run as a ruling party candidate in the general election is gaining momentum again.
Earlier, on the 15th, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok stated on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' that "Ultimately, within a 1 to 2 week deadline, People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun will be ousted," and claimed that an emergency response committee (ERC) will be formed afterward, with former Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon or Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong likely to be appointed as the ERC chairman.
Jin Eun-jeong, wife of Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, is participating in the '203 Love Gift Making' event held at the Seoul office of the Korean Red Cross in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 15th, packing gift boxes. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
Former leader Lee said, "I think the reason In Yo-han, the committee chairman, has recently been pressuring senior members and Yoon core figures (key associates of President Yoon Seok-yeol) is to lay out the red carpet for (Minister Han)." He added, "(Minister Han) is also using verbal attacks as a device to ultimately tell the traditional senior conservative base, 'I am fighting against the Democratic Party, please support me.'"
In particular, on this day, Minister Han's spouse, lawyer Jin Eun-jung, made her first public appearance, which added weight to the 'Han Dong-hoon general election candidacy rumor.' Jin's actions are seen as a strategic move for Minister Han's political participation.
Former Director Park said on the 16th on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "(Minister Han's political participation) is naturally expected," adding, "Would Minister Han go out and work as a lawyer? He has plenty of money and a good family background."
He continued, "So, the so-called founding members Kwon Seong-dong, Kim Ki-hyun, and Jang Je-won are all Yoon core figures, right?" He said, "They are sending those in the spotlight to difficult constituencies and bringing in prosecutors-turned Yoon core figures, the 'prosecutor core figures,' so I think that's why Minister Han is going to (be the ERC chairman)."
On the other hand, the ruling party dismissed the 'Han Dong-hoon ERC rumor' as baseless. On the 16th, People Power Party lawmaker Jo Jeong-hoon appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and said, "I think former leader Lee Jun-seok made a sudden outburst," adding, "From what I have confirmed, I think it is a suspicious, meaningless, and groundless claim."
He also cautioned against overinterpretation of lawyer Jin's volunteer activities, calling them "routine activities." Lawmaker Jo said, "She went out with other ministers' spouses, but if she didn't appear, people would say only the Minister of Justice's spouse didn't come out, like 'Are you some kind of princess?' So I think it has no big meaning."
However, regarding Minister Han's candidacy in next year's general election, he said, "The possibility is open." Lawmaker Jo added, "I don't think he will be dragged in as the ERC chairman; the people will call him."
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