Handonghun Following 'Yeouido Dialect'... Emphasis on 'Lee Jae-myung' Over 'Livelihood'

Analysis of Official Mentions from January 12 to March 14
Yoon Seok-yeol Mentioned 5 Times, Lee Jae-myung 106 Times
Use of 'Yeouido Dialect' Evaluated More Than Pledges and Policies

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party who vowed not to use the 'Yeouido dialect,' was found to have mentioned Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, nearly three times more than 'fellow citizens.' President Yoon Suk-yeol mentioned Lee Jae-myung less than Cho Kuk, the leader of the Innovation Party, emphasizing the confrontation between himself and Lee.

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is greeting citizens in front of Times Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to People Power Party press releases, Chairman Han officially mentioned 'fellow citizens' 35 times over 54 days from January 18, when he announced his first pledge, to the 12th of this month. He mentioned 'policy' 70 times and 'pledge' 51 times, but Lee Jae-myung was mentioned 106 times. Furthermore, the Democratic Party (166 times) was mentioned more than the People Power Party (159 times). This is interpreted as focusing on negative remarks about Lee and the Democratic Party. On February 1, during an Emergency Response Committee meeting, Chairman Han said, "There are very few but some individuals committing misconduct such as embezzlement of public funds with corporate cards, drunk driving, hateful insults, perjury coaching, Daejang-dong local corruption, Baekhyeon-dong local corruption, bribery involving Seongnam FC, and election law violations through lies. All of these were done by one person, Lee Jae-myung. He will never be nominated by the People Power Party."

President Yoon was mentioned five times. This is interpreted as implying an election contest between Chairman Han and Lee Jae-myung rather than between President Yoon and Lee. President Yoon was mentioned when emphasizing the feasibility of policies. On January 31, at a semiconductor industry field meeting, Chairman Han said, "The People Power Party and the Yoon Suk-yeol government are ready to support and assist the dedicated workers leading the semiconductor industry."

Economy and livelihood were each mentioned 18 times. On February 15, during an Emergency Response Committee meeting, Chairman Han stated, "As the majority party, there are many livelihood bills we truly want to pass to improve the lives of fellow citizens." Additionally, on March 7, he expressed interest in the economy and livelihood by saying, "Our ruling party must take infinite responsibility for livelihood."

Reform was mentioned 39 times. Chairman Han promised a series of political reforms, including reducing the number of National Assembly members by 50, giving up parliamentary immunity, and eradicating the practice of raising political funds through book launch events. It is known that the People Power Party required candidates participating in nominations to pledge to give up parliamentary immunity.

In January and early last month, he frequently mentioned 'underground activists,' and from mid-last month, 'pro-North' terms were often used. 'Underground activists' were mentioned 26 times and 'pro-North' 22 times, totaling 48 mentions. Recently, as the Democratic Party launched proportional satellite parties and allied with the Progressive Party, 'pro-North' has been mentioned frequently, with 21 mentions since February 19.

In November last year, Chairman Han said, "I will use the grammar used by the remaining 50 million people," pledging not to use the Yeouido dialect. Upon assuming the Emergency Response Committee Chairmanship, he said he wanted to live a life that helps improve the lives of fellow citizens and said he would focus on pledges and policies. However, in political circles, there are talks that Chairman Han is skillfully using the 'Yeouido dialect.'