Handonghun on Kim Gunhee Luxury Bag Controversy: "Isn't This a Political Conspiracy?"

Yoon's Recorded Interview: "The Weight of the Presidency"
"I Do Not Agree with the Kim Geon-hee Risk Frame"

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, evaluated President Yoon Suk-yeol's special interview by saying, "The president sincerely expressed his thoughts on various issues, including measures to prevent recurrence." Regarding the controversy over First Lady Kim Geon-hee's luxury handbag, he reiterated, "Isn't it a political conspiracy?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 8th at around 10:30 a.m., Chairman Han, along with party leadership including Secretary-General Jang Dong-hyuk, Seoul City Party Chairman Kim Seon-dong, and spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong, participated in briquette volunteer work in Baeksamaeul, Junggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul. Chairman Han donated 71,000 briquettes to the Briquette Bank in the name of the People Power Party. Additionally, he personally pulled a cart and delivered briquettes to each household struggling with heating. Chairman Han stated, "The budget for gifts to the party is close to 60 to 70 million won, and from now on, we will use that amount annually for nationwide briquette volunteer work."

After the volunteer work, Chairman Han met with reporters and, when asked whether the public's concerns had been alleviated by President Yoon's special interview, he replied, "I think the president also empathized with the fact that there are national concerns and worries," adding, "He also spoke about the system to prevent recurrence, and I believe the president will make additional system improvements." Regarding the Democratic Party's comment calling the interview a "hollow dialogue," he said, "The Democratic Party's words are just rhetoric," and added, "I have no intention of responding to every word in the Democratic Party's verbal extravaganza."

However, when criticized that President Yoon participated in the interview via recorded broadcast rather than live, he explained, "That kind of evaluation is made by the public and the media," and said, "Since the position of president carries weight and he has his own style, it is not a matter to be judged simply as pros and cons."

Regarding the controversy over First Lady Kim's luxury handbag, he defined it as a "political conspiracy." When asked if President Yoon called the luxury handbag controversy a political conspiracy during the special interview, Chairman Han said, "Isn't it a political conspiracy? From the beginning, the process of buying and giving the item was secretly filmed with a hidden camera on a watch, and the controversy was triggered around the general election." He added, "However, it is also true that there are points in the sequence of events that the public may be concerned about."

Furthermore, Chairman Han said, "I do not agree with framing (the First Lady's issue) as a risk," and added, "If one holds a responsible position and is under public scrutiny, including myself, everyone should be cautious and careful." However, regarding public opinion that the First Lady should apologize, he responded, "I will not evaluate the public's judgment."