Handonghunho, Will It Embrace Non-Yoon Factions Including Lee Jun-seok Who Announced Party Exit on the 27th?

Challenges of Embracing Non-Conservatives, Expanding Centrists, and Improving Party-Government Relations
Lee Jun-seok "Can Meet Han Dong-hoon but Have No Expectations"

Political attention is focused on whether Han Dong-hoon, the former Minister of Justice who accepted the position of Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, will embrace the party's non-mainstream factions such as former leader Lee Jun-seok, who is at odds with the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction, in order to win over the centrist voters.

Former Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Within the ruling party, the biggest question is whether former Minister Han will meet with non-pro-Yoon figures like former leader Lee Jun-seok and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who have announced their intention to leave the party on the 27th. There is a growing voice inside the party that to correct the vertical party-government relationship, which is cited as a cause of declining approval ratings, a unified approach embracing the non-pro-Yoon faction must be shown. It is argued that the party image should be renewed by accepting critical voices directed at the party while aiming to expand the centrist base.

Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on KBS Radio, "Former Minister Han needs to increase and embrace as many allies as possible to win the general election," adding, "He should meet with former leader Lee Jun-seok and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and play a role in forming the joint election committee." Ha continued, "Former Minister Han has no past bad blood with former leader Lee or former lawmaker Yoo. He is in a good position to build a new and constructive relationship. I hope he actively meets and talks with them and sets conditions that could prevent Lee from leaving the party."

However, former leader Lee Jun-seok, who is preparing to launch a new party, expressed little expectation for Han Dong-hoon's emergency committee. Lee said on CBS Radio, "I can meet (former Minister Han), but I think there is not much to say even if we meet," adding, "Superficial talks will not solve any of the current problems. I have no intention of avoiding the meeting, but I have no expectations."

Meanwhile, former Minister Han, after attending a farewell ceremony held at the Government Complex Gwacheon the previous day, told reporters regarding party unity, "The People Power Party is a party that advocates liberal democracy, and the more diverse voices there are, the stronger it becomes," adding, "I will listen carefully to various voices and ultimately lead the party to win by speaking with one voice when it is time to win." When asked whether he would meet with figures like former leader Lee who have announced plans to form a new party, he said, "I think I should meet many people with diverse thoughts regardless of party affiliation," leaving the possibility open. However, he added, "I have never thought specifically about any particular person."