Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, attended the Chungbuk Provincial Party New Year's Meeting on the 4th and said, "I believe that winning the hearts of Chungbuk is equivalent to winning the hearts of the Republic of Korea."
Chairman Han stated, "In Chungbuk Province, where there are many moderate voters and swing voters, I will persuade fellow citizens and find answers to various issues," expressing his commitment.
He said, "Being moderate means having an average middle-ground opinion on issues, but in reality, there are no people who hold a middle-ground opinion on specific issues," adding, "On some issues, the correct answer will be on the right, and on others, it will be on the left. I will persuade fellow citizens who are moderate."
He continued, "The way to persuade these people to choose us is to provide reasonable and correct answers on all issues," and added, "Our answers will have a higher success rate that can persuade citizens in the moderate group."
Chairman Han addressed the residents of Chungbuk, saying, "There is something we sometimes forget. We hold power," and added, "We miraculously won the last presidential election and are the party that holds the presidency."
He further stated, "This means that if we create good policies for the people of Chungbuk, we can immediately implement them in cooperation with the central government, allowing people to feel the effects of the policies right away."
"Including the Spirit of May 18 in the Constitution Will Make It Even More Proud"
Earlier, Chairman Han visited Gwangju Metropolitan City in the morning to expand the party's reach into Honam. This was his first visit to Gwangju since assuming the Emergency Response Committee Chairmanship.
On the morning of the same day, Chairman Han paid respects at the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower located in Numo-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, and wrote in the guestbook, "In 2024, we remember the spirit of Gwangju in 1929." He then visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, paid respects at the People's Uprising Memorial Tower, and attended the People Power Party Gwangju City Party New Year's Meeting held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju.
At the New Year's Meeting, Chairman Han said, "My generation and the generations after me hold a deep gratitude and respect for Gwangju, not a sense of debt or guilt, for protecting and passing down democracy in our country during difficult times," emphasizing, "As I lead the People Power Party, I will express and practice that gratitude and respect through policies, budgets, and administration."
Chairman Han also expressed support for including the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution. Right after visiting the Democratic Cemetery, he said, "The spirit of Gwangju in May is the spirit of defending democracy in difficult circumstances," and added, "Rather than simply supporting it, including the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble will make the Constitution much richer, clearer, and prouder."
President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to include the spirit of May 18 in the Constitution during his presidential campaign. Currently, the preamble of the Constitution honors the March 1st Movement and the April 19th Revolution. However, a constitutional amendment is required to include this.
Over 400 Police Officers Deployed... Close Protection
Meanwhile, it was reported that over 400 police officers were deployed for Chairman Han's security on the day. This came after Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was attacked by a man in his 60s during a field schedule in Busan on the 2nd, and a man in his 40s who posted a threatening message saying, "We will not leave Chairman Han alone if he comes to Gwangju," was urgently arrested by the police the day before.
Especially since this was Chairman Han's first external activity after the attack on Leader Lee, there was heightened attention to security. When Chairman Han arrived at Gwangju Songjeong Station that day, police security personnel were positioned in front and behind him. The People Power Party decided to strengthen its own safety measures in preparation for any emergencies during the Gwangju schedule, and did not separately request the deployment of police riot squads. However, the Chungbuk Police Agency reportedly increased the number of personnel for personal protection.
It was reported that four riot squads from the Gwangju Police Agency, Gwangju Police Agency staff, and police officers from three police stations' criminal, intelligence, security, and traffic divisions were responsible for the security detail.
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