The Political Scene Buzzes with Han Dong-hoon's Appearance... Presidential Talk Arises Despite Upcoming General Election

Lee Jun-seok "Expect Han Dong-hoon to Become a Star, Not a Reflection of Yoon"
Kim Woong "Must Speak Frankly to the President to Join the Presidential Race"
Lim Jong-seok "50 Million Language? The Goal Seems Not to Be the National Assembly"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon’s visits to Daegu, Daejeon, and Ulsan for policy-related schedules have been widely interpreted as the de facto start of his campaign for the general election. Although Minister Han has not yet declared his candidacy, various speculations are circulating in political circles about whether he will run as a proportional representative, run in a constituency, and if so, which constituency he might choose.

The political sphere already perceives Minister Han as a strong potential candidate for the next presidential election. Regardless of party lines, various analyses predicting the future of 'politician Han Dong-hoon' have emerged. Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok advised Minister Han to "break away from being a 'Yoon Seok-yeol kid.'"

At a press meeting following a debate held at Korea University on the 22nd, former leader Lee said, "I was also called a 'Park Geun-hye kid' recruited by President Park Geun-hye, but I carved out my own path, and Minister Han is not someone to be lightly judged by just the name Yoon Seok-yeol alone. Depending on his future course, he could become a shining star himself or merely a reflector of President Yoon Seok-yeol. I hope he becomes a star."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is applauding at the 2023 National Assembly Seminar "Local Extinction Crisis, Practical Directions and Alternatives" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 22nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong stated on CBS Radio that regarding Minister Han, "He needs to be in a position where he can speak frankly with the president to rise to the ranks of a next presidential candidate."

Regarding Minister Han’s remark that he would "use the language of 50 million people, not the Yeouido dialect," Lawmaker Kim said, "I don’t think it should be seen as being too hostile to Yeouido politics or trying to distinctly separate oneself to find 'one’s own identity.' Rather, he should become very close to Yeouido’s political grammar and politicians," urging him accordingly.

Voices from the opposition camp have emerged to check Minister Han’s rise as a presidential candidate. Former Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok wrote on social media, "He not only speaks well but also has big dreams. He boldly declared his ambition to use the 'language of 50 million people,' which suggests that being a member of the National Assembly is not his goal."

Former Chief of Staff Lim added, "What Minister Han should first look back on is restoring the Yoon Seok-yeol government, which has strayed far off course, back to its proper place. If he shared the glory with President Yoon, he should also share the responsibility." He further warned, "If Minister Han also falls into the delusions like Mrs. Kim Keon-hee, the future evaluation and consequences will be harsh."

The People Power Party has been sending continuous love calls to Minister Han, urging him to lead the party to victory in the general election. However, Minister Han has avoided commenting on whether he will run in the election. On the 22nd, when visiting the National Assembly, Minister Han responded to questions about running in a difficult district by saying, "I am not a star minister. I will do my best as the Minister of Justice."