Kim Kyung-yul "Han Dong-hoon is unemployed, but called on Friday to have lunch on Monday?"

“Not Betrayal but Courage” Han Dong-hoon Declines Yoon’s Lunch Invitation
3rd Yoon-Han Conflict?
South Korea Cites ‘Health Reasons’ for Absence
But Some See It as a ‘Cut-off’ Move

President Yoon Suk-yeol proposed a luncheon meeting to Han Dong-hoon, former Emergency Response Committee member of the People Power Party, and other members of the so-called ‘Han Dong-hoon Emergency Committee,’ but Han expressed his intention to decline, leading to interpretations that this may represent the so-called third ‘Yoon-Han conflict.’

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is expressing his position on the general election defeat at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

Kim Kyung-yul, former Emergency Response Committee member of the People Power Party, appeared on CBS Kim Hyun-jung's News Show on the 22nd and said, “No matter how much Han is currently unemployed, I don’t understand the part where they called on Friday to set a luncheon for Monday,” adding, “(President Yoon) could have contacted him directly, but going through the Chief of Staff and the floor leader is strange, and suddenly setting the schedule is neither surprising nor decisive.”

Kim also said, “It is clear that Han was physically exhausted during the general election process,” and “There was no contact at all with the other Emergency Committee members.”

Regarding President Yoon’s meeting with Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, on the 16th, Kim pointed out, “After the meeting, Hong’s remarks toward Han were quite harsh,” and “There must be a clear personal disappointment toward President Yoon.”

After the dinner with President Yoon, Mayor Hong harshly criticized Han, saying he “betrayed the president.” Han later declined the luncheon with President Yoon on the 20th and posted on his Facebook, “Efforts to correct mistakes are not betrayal but courage,” directly rebutting the criticism from both inside and outside the party.

Regarding Mayor Hong’s continued criticism of Han, Kim said, “Hong’s rhetoric is very transparent. He has never considered the ‘public good’ in politics and always pursues his personal safety and power rather than the nation or people,” adding, “Hong sees Han as a presidential contender and is trying to check him.”

Kim Yong-tae, newly elected member of the People Power Party from Pocheon-Gapyeong, appeared on YTN Radio’s ‘News King’ the same day and said, “If Han refuses to meet the president due to health reasons, the public will be very anxious and unnecessary misunderstandings may arise,” adding, “I hope a luncheon between the president and the Emergency Committee will be held soon at an appropriate time.”

Kim said, “Despite the difficulties in this election, Han tried to play his role,” and “He made great efforts by visiting 254 constituencies and worked to convey the common sense of the people.” Regarding Mayor Hong, he said, “The conflict being expressed causes anxiety among the public and party members, so I think it is inappropriate,” and “It seems there are people trying to provoke and divide the conflict, and I hope they will refrain from doing so.”