Handonghun practically rejects resignation demand
Kim Gyeongyul, emergency committee member, controversy over issues in Mapo-eul candidacy process
Underlying issue seems to be Kim Geonhee luxury bag acceptance controversy
It has been reported that the Presidential Office and the mainstream faction of the People Power Party demanded the resignation of Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party. The prevailing view is that the conflict involves the issue of Kim Kyung-yul, a member of the emergency committee of the People Power Party. Although the official reason for the conflict is the problem surrounding Kim’s candidacy for Mapo-eul in Seoul, underlying issues appear to include the suspicion of receiving luxury handbags and Kim Kyung-yul’s demand for a public apology from First Lady Kim Geon-hee.
On the 21st, Chairman Han stated in “Han Dong-hoon’s position on reports regarding the Presidential Office’s demand for resignation,” saying, “I will do what I have to do on the path I have shown to the people.” This effectively rejected the resignation demand.
Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Since the previous day, the political circles have been stirred by reports such as “It is understood that President Yoon was greatly disappointed regarding Kim Kyung-yul’s nomination issue,” and “President Yoon has withdrawn his expectations and support for Chairman Han and has left the decision on his position to the party.” Subsequently, reports emerged through media coverage that the Presidential Office and the ruling party mainstream urged Chairman Han to resign.
For now, the Presidential Office has denied reports that it demanded Chairman Han’s resignation. A Presidential Office official responded to Asia Economy’s question, “Did you demand Chairman Han’s resignation?” by saying, “The issue of Chairman Han’s position is not something Yongsan should be involved in.” However, the official explained, “Regarding the controversy over the so-called withdrawal of expectations and trust in Chairman Han, it was an expression of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s strong philosophy on fair and transparent system nominations.” This indicates a sense of problem with the nomination process of Kim Kyung-yul, which was referred to as the “Han Dong-hoon style strategic nomination.”
Earlier, on the 17th, Chairman Han abruptly announced Kim Kyung-yul’s candidacy for Mapo-eul at the Seoul City Party’s New Year meeting held in Mapo-gu, Seoul. This announcement was made in front of the local party committee chairman preparing to run for Mapo-eul (former lawmaker Kim Seong-dong) the day after the nomination management committee announced the system nomination policy. Kim Kyung-yul explained, “I mistakenly gave Chairman Han incorrect information, thinking that former lawmaker Kim had no intention to run.” However, local party committee members have already expressed a tense atmosphere, pointing out issues of unfairness.
The Presidential Office and the ruling party mainstream reportedly viewed the controversy itself as problematic, as Chairman Han, who has popular support, effectively handpicked Kim Kyung-yul.
However, many in the political circles interpret that this is not the whole story.
Behind the controversy lies a difference in stance regarding First Lady Kim Geon-hee’s receipt of luxury handbags. The Presidential Office has maintained the position that First Lady Kim was a victim of a “hidden camera trap” and “conspiracy” related to the luxury handbag issue. On the other hand, Kim Kyung-yul has demanded a public apology from the First Lady. Moreover, Chairman Han, who had been cautious about this issue, showed a changed stance by stating, “There were clearly regrettable points in the process, and there were parts that the public could worry about,” and “It is an issue to be considered from the public’s perspective.” Rather than restraining Kim Kyung-yul, Chairman Han not only neglected the issue but also showed a change in attitude. Subsequently, calls for an apology from the First Lady gained momentum within the ruling party.
However, it remains to be seen where this controversy will lead. Chairman Han appears likely to reject resignation and attempt to push through head-on. Nonetheless, the series of conflicts may simply be a “promised duel” in which the ruling party distances itself from President Yoon ahead of the general election. In this process, Chairman Han, who has emerged as a next-generation leader, may take control, or the situation may lead to his downfall.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min reacted on the 21st to reports that Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, rejected the resignation demands from pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) mainstream figures who conveyed the Presidential Office’s intentions, saying, “What kind of ridiculous drama is this on a weekend night?” Yoo introduced reports on social media that mainstream ruling party figures effectively demanded Chairman Han’s resignation and that the background of the resignation demand involved differences in perception regarding the response to First Lady Kim Geon-hee. He harshly criticized, “It has been less than a month since the president himself ousted Kim Ki-hyun, whom he created, and forcibly installed his direct subordinate Han Dong-hoon, and now there is another ugly fight?” He added, “Why are they engaging in such a disgraceful fight?” and criticized, “Is this the level of politics that prosecutors can do?”
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