[President Yoon Press Conference] On Han Dong-hoon's Discord Rumors: "Issue Resolved... Will Walk the Path of a Politician Well"

Handonghun and 20 Years of Friendship... Will Meet Anytime
On Election Defeat: "Communication Was Very Lacking"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is answering questions from the press at the 'Two-Year Public Report and Press Conference of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration' held on the morning of the 9th at the briefing room of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol addressed rumors of a rift with former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon, saying, "There seems to have been a misunderstanding," and added, "The issue has been resolved."

On the morning of the 9th, during the 'Yoon Suk-yeol Government 2nd Year National Report and Press Conference' held at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon was asked whether he had ever requested Han to resign through aides before the general election. He replied, "I think such a conversation came up during a lunch with (then Chief of Staff Lee Gwan-seop), (People Power Party Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok), and Chairman Han, but there seems to have been a misunderstanding," adding, "The issue was resolved immediately."

He further explained, "Although Chairman Han's political career is short, I believe he has firmly established himself as a politician by leading the general election as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman and the overall election campaign chairman of a major party," and "I think he will continue to walk the path of a politician well in the future."

When asked if he had contacted Chairman Han separately or planned to meet again after their lunch meeting fell through, President Yoon said, "Chairman Han and I have maintained a relationship for over 20 years," and "We will meet anytime."

He added, "I think after the election, he must be quite tired and in need of recharging, so I believe it is right not to burden him and to wait," and "We will have meals and meet anytime."

Regarding the ruling party's defeat in the general election, President Yoon explained, "Ultimately, no matter how much effort was made in livelihood matters, the changes felt by the people were insufficient."

He said, "I think there was a significant lack of explanation and communication about government policies," and "The important thing is the economy. Structural issues like corporate growth and job creation are important, but I believe it is crucial to actively identify and solve the difficulties that each citizen experiences in their daily lives."

In response to suggestions that a shift in government policy direction is needed after the general election, he said, "I agree with the need for a policy shift toward a government that communicates more and listens more attentively to the voices of the people regarding their livelihoods."

President Yoon emphasized, "We believe that setting the economic policy based on a market economy and a private-led system is faithful to constitutional principles," and "we will maintain consistency in this policy direction, and carefully select and amend what needs to be changed."

President Yoon also expressed willingness to meet with Cho Guk, leader of the Innovation Party, and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, who entered the 22nd National Assembly.

Regarding this, President Yoon said, "I will never draw a line against any politician and will always keep the door open," explaining, "Cooperation is not something that can be achieved easily or instantly."

He added, "Our politics have long proceeded amid excessive conflicts to an almost unreasonable degree," and "I don't think cooperation will happen overnight just because I met Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea."