'Han Dong-hoon Rejects Resignation Demand... Party-Government Relations Reach Breaking Point'

Handonghun "My Term Lasts Until After the General Election"
Kim Gyeongyul, Emergency Committee Member "I Will Focus on the General Election"

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, officially rejected the resignation demands he received from the ruling party mainstream and the presidential office on the 22nd, escalating the conflict between the party and the government to a peak. Kim Kyung-yul, a People Power Party emergency committee member who was a key link in the party-government conflict, also dismissed the possibility of resignation, pledging "victory in the general election." The rift within the ruling party is deepening. In particular, President Yoon Seok-yeol's sudden decision to skip a scheduled livelihood discussion meeting that morning has led to analyses that the conflict with Chairman Han remains unresolved.

On his way to the National Assembly that day, Chairman Han confirmed the resignation demand, saying to reporters, "Since I have rejected the resignation demand, I will not discuss the specific details." He added, "I understand that my term continues until after the general election. The party (黨) handles party affairs, and the government (政) handles government affairs, which is politics for the people."

Chairman Han said, "I believe the general election on April 10 is truly important for the people and the future of this country," adding, "I will practice ‘Seonmin Husa (先民後私)’ ? putting the people before myself. I will clearly explain our party's changed image to the public to prevent the people from suffering and the country's future from being threatened due to the Democratic Party's strange politics and obstructionist behavior." This indicates his intention to continue his role as the general election commander.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the luxury handbag bribery allegations and the controversy over running for Mapo-eul, Kim Kyung-yul, who became the subject of the ‘Sacheon controversy’ involving Chairman Han, has no plans to retract his statements about Mrs. Kim Geon-hee or resign from the emergency committee. Kim said, "I will try to show a more refined image and focus solely on serving public sentiment and winning the general election as I have until now." In this context, a re-elected People Power Party lawmaker expressed regret, saying, "If Kim resigns, it would at least create an appearance of damage control." He also commented on the current party-government conflict, saying, "If this continues, it will lead to ruin," and urged, "We need to quickly manage the situation."

President Yoon's absence from the livelihood discussion meeting sparked speculation that the fallout from the conflict with Chairman Han affected his schedule. A presidential office official explained, "President Yoon had a hoarse throat and cold symptoms since the morning," adding, "It seemed inappropriate to speak at a public event with a large audience, so he decided not to attend."

However, the presidential office is deeply concerned about the escalating series of events leading to the party-government conflict. Overnight, President Yoon and his aides held an emergency late-night meeting to seek a solution to the resignation controversy involving Chairman Han, but with Han refusing to yield, the situation reached a stalemate. Some aides suggested that the party and government should show unity to prevent the situation from worsening, but with Han rejecting the resignation demand, a dramatic resolution became unlikely.

The presidential office feels a significant psychological burden as the ‘Kim Geon-hee risk’ is cited as a factor in the party-government conflict. The confrontation between the president and Chairman Han, turning into a direct clash, could worsen public opinion amid the president's already declining approval ratings. With only about 80 days left until the general election, the deepening rift within the ruling party and discord between the party and government could negatively impact voter sentiment.

Especially as the gap between President Yoon and Chairman Han over the luxury handbag bribery allegations involving Mrs. Kim remains wide, expectations are growing that resolving the situation will be even more difficult. There is also cautious speculation that Chairman Han might attempt to act independently on major issues in the future.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the party-government conflict at a Supreme Council meeting, saying, "I feel sorry and disappointed for the government and ruling party," and added, "The government and ruling party should not fight divided by ‘Yoon’s will’ and ‘Han’s will’ but should focus on the people's livelihood first."