Yoon-Han Conflict Sealed After Six Days... Han "Deep Respect for the President" (Comprehensive)

'Sacheon Controversy' Six Days Later, Meet at Seocheon Fire Site
Presidential Office Hopes to Resolve Conflict
Korea "Will Do Our Best More Than Now"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The escalating conflict between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, has effectively entered a reconciliation phase after six days. While there was a perception inside and outside the presidential office that it was premature to create a reconciliation mood immediately, the recognition that conflicts between the party and the presidential office would be 'of no benefit' with the general election 80 days away has spread, leading to a substantive meeting.

On the 23rd, President Yoon visited the site of a large fire at the Seocheon Special Market in Chungnam and met with Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. This was their first meeting since the conflict arose. The two sides had clashed over the controversy surrounding First Lady Kim Geon-hee's 'luxury handbag acceptance' and the 'private recommendation' (sacheon, 私薦) controversy related to Emergency Committee Member Kim Kyung-yul's possible candidacy in Mapo-eul, Seoul.

Han Bowed Nearly 90 Degrees to Greet President Yoon

On that day, Han arrived at the site first and waited for President Yoon at the market entrance for about 15 minutes. Upon arrival, President Yoon greeted party officials in turn. Recognizing Han, President Yoon shook his hand and tapped his shoulder to show friendliness, and Han bowed nearly 90 degrees while smiling in greeting.

In particular, although there was strong speculation that President Yoon's absence from the scheduled morning public discussion on livelihood issues the previous day was due to conflict with Han, the sudden creation of a reconciliation atmosphere within a day dispelled concerns about prolonged conflict. Given that President Yoon and Han met, there is speculation that the unprecedented party-government conflict situation will enter a reconciliation phase.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

That afternoon, President Yoon visited the Seocheon Special Market fire site, which was not part of his official external schedule, to receive a damage report and inspect the site personally. Han arrived at the site first to welcome President Yoon, and the two received a briefing together from Kwon Hyuk-min, Head of the Chungnam Fire Headquarters, on the cause of the fire and the damage status.

According to a written briefing by Presidential Office spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung, President Yoon expressed gratitude for the efforts of firefighters who extinguished the fire without casualties despite the coldest weather of the year. Earlier that day, President Yoon had instructed the Minister of the Interior and Safety and the Fire Agency Chief to "mobilize all available personnel and equipment to do their best in fire suppression."

At the first-floor lobby of a nearby store, President Yoon met with representatives of merchants and said, "You must be deeply distressed with the holiday approaching. We will provide support as quickly as possible so that you can resume business immediately." He also instructed Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who accompanied him, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Seocheon County should actively cooperate and provide immediate support for what is needed," according to spokesperson Kim.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon and Chairman Han Ride Together on Presidential Train Returning to Seoul

After visiting the site of the large fire at Seocheon Market in Chungnam, Chairman Han rode the presidential train with President Yoon back to Seoul. Upon arriving at Seoul Station, Han told reporters in response to the question, "Does this mean the Yoon-Han conflict is resolved?" that he "holds deep respect and trust for the President."

Han emphasized, "Both the President and I have come this far with the single thought of taking care of people's livelihoods and making this country better for the people," adding, "We want to do our best and receive the people's choice on April 10, and take the path to make this country and our people live better lives."

Regarding the refusal to resign demanded by the presidential office, Han said, "Those remarks were already reported in the media before," and added, "Rather than such remarks, we had a good discussion about supporting people's livelihoods."