Handonghun, Emergency Committee Chairman, Explains Reason for Not Running in General Election

Emphasizing the Purity of Political Entry Background
Avoiding Controversy Over Self-Nomination
Securing Justification for Reform Nomination Drive

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, has abruptly declared that he will not run in next year's general election. On the 26th, during his acceptance speech at the People Power Party headquarters, Chairman Han stated, "I will not run in a constituency nor as a proportional representative," adding, "I will do everything for victory, but I will not take the fruits of that victory for myself."

Why did Chairman Han declare that he will not run in the general election? It is interpreted as a strategic move to emphasize the purity of his political debut while avoiding potential controversies such as self-nomination later on. It can be seen as an expression of his determination to go "all-in" for the general election and a declaration that no one will claim vested interests in the nomination process in the future.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is moving after making a statement at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

At the beginning of his inauguration speech, Chairman Han shared an anecdote about his childhood aspirations, saying, "I didn't want to become anything in particular, but I had many things I wanted to do," and added, "I wanted to live a life that helps build a good country and improve the lives of fellow citizens. I have lived with that mindset until now, and now even more so." He explained that his reason for entering politics was not to become a member of the National Assembly but to create a good country and improve citizens' lives.

He consistently emphasized, while accepting the position of Emergency Response Committee Chairman, that "We must prevent Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party from destroying the country by colluding with the privileged factions of the activist groups and the totalitarian 'Gaeddal'." He made it clear that his goal as chairman is to block the Democratic Party's victory in the general election.

Chairman Han's declaration of not running in the general election also appears to be intended to avoid controversies over self-nomination. Previously, Kim Jong-in, a former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party who was active as the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman before the 20th general election, experienced a rapid decline in leadership due to self-nomination controversies. It seems that by declaring he would not run from the start, Chairman Han aimed to prevent such leadership confusion.

He can also claim stronger justification for reformist nominations. For victory in the general election, a rigorous reform of nominations is required, but once the chairman demands a share, it becomes difficult to exert influence and compromises must be sought. By declaring he will not run, he has removed room for compromises regarding nominations. Consequently, the possibility of a reformist wave in the People Power Party's nomination process has increased.

This also allows him to avoid controversies such as having to run in difficult constituencies to establish a foothold or having to lead the nationwide election as a proportional representative.