Ha Tae-kyung "Jang Je-won Expected Not to Run... Highlighting His Own Decision"

People Power Party Lawmaker MBC Radio Interview
"Han Dong-hoon Must Come Out Now... January Is Too Late"

Amid the sudden hint of withdrawal from the race by Rep. Jang Je-won, who had previously flaunted his influence by holding a local hiking club event despite the People Power Party's Innovation Committee's demand for 'sacrifices in the main party,' Rep. Ha Tae-kyung from the same party said, "He probably wanted to make a withdrawal declaration in a way that emphasized his own decision."

On the 12th, Rep. Ha appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "Rep. Jang is the closest to the president and the person who most wishes for the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Therefore, I thought he would choose the path for the president," adding, "He never directly told me about withdrawing, but considering various contexts, I strongly felt that he would not run and would sacrifice himself."

Earlier, despite the Innovation Committee's pressure to withdraw or run in a difficult district, Rep. Jang had mobilized 92 buses and flaunted his power through a hiking club event in his constituency (Busan Sasang). However, on the night of the 11th, he suddenly posted on his Facebook, "I visited my father's grave," and said, "Dear father, whom I miss! I am going to pause for a while."

Jang Je-won, a key member of the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction in the People Power Party, said on the 11th, "I am now going to take a short break." Photo by Jang Je-won (from his Facebook).

Regarding this, Rep. Ha said, "Anyway, it looks like he is refusing to withdraw while being dragged along," and added, "When the Innovation Committee was pushing hard, he probably showed even stronger resistance."

Rep. Ha also argued that the resignation of leader Kim Gi-hyun is necessary for victory in next year's general election. He said, "Leader Kim Gi-hyun's withdrawal would have little impact on the metropolitan area elections," and added, "As a party colleague, I feel sorry, but I think our path to victory opens only if he steps down."

Regarding Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, he pointed out, "He is too complacent about the general election issue." Rep. Ha has consistently argued that Minister Han must become the face of the party to overcome the party crisis and win the general election. He said, "There is no time, and many have urged him to come out quickly," adding, "If Minister Han says he will come out in January, then Han Dong-hoon will not be part of our party leadership."

He continued, "It is difficult given the time," and said, "In the past, when Park Geun-hye's emergency committee was in charge, it was done around the end of December, and we won the election. Now, in mid-December, there is still enough time."