[Q&A] Countdown to 'Handonghun's Candidacy', Prospects for the People Power Party Convention

Korea to Announce Candidacy as Early as This Weekend
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Political circles inside and outside are focusing on the timing of Han Dong-hoon, former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, declaring his candidacy for party leader. The People Power Party has decided to hold the party convention to elect the next leadership, including the party leader, on the 23rd of next month. The general consensus within the party is a strong atmosphere of 'Eodaehan (Anyway, the party leader will be Han Dong-hoon)'. As Han’s entry becomes more visible, there is also a surge of calls to check Han Dong-hoon within the ruling party. Attention is also on whether any surprises will occur.

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@

Will Han Dong-hoon run?

Assemblyman Han, classified as part of the Chinhan (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 19th, "I expect (former Chairman Han) to declare his candidacy this weekend (22nd?23rd) or early next week." On the 17th, the People Power Party announced that it would accept party convention candidates for two days from the 24th to the 25th. On the 19th, the Standing National Committee and the National Committee will be convened to finalize this.

It remains whether former Chairman Han will announce his candidacy just before the candidate registration for the party convention or during the registration period. However, the consensus within the ruling party is that he will officially declare his intention to run on the 23rd, just before the candidate registration, and then reveal a blueprint on how he will lead the party if he becomes the party leader. Currently, Assemblymen close to former Chairman Han are reportedly looking for a campaign office near the National Assembly building while contacting potential candidates who could be running mates, such as for the Supreme Council member or Youth Supreme Council member positions, to discuss roles. Those likely to run as Supreme Council members as running mates include Assemblymen Kim Hyeong-dong, Kim Ye-ji, and former Assemblyman Yoon Hee-suk.

Who is mentioned as Han Dong-hoon’s rival... will they run?

Senior party members such as Assemblymen Na Kyung-won and Yoon Sang-hyun are mentioned as rivals to former Chairman Han. Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong and former Assemblyman Yoo Seung-min, both outside the National Assembly, are also consistently mentioned. Assemblymen Na and Yoon are cautious about their candidacy but are considered likely to run. Assemblyman Na recently revealed her decision to run to close party insiders and requested cooperation. She also expressed a positive stance in a statement the day before, saying, "No decision has been made yet on whether to run," but added, "I am sharing opinions and discussing with many people and spending the last moments of consideration."

Assemblyman Yoon has not directly stated his position on running for the party convention but has sent cautionary remarks to former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han, asking, "If you are going to run for party leader, why did you resign as Emergency Response Committee Chairman?" and "Are you planning to complete your term without running in the 2027 presidential election?" Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, who had been consistently mentioned as a potential party leader and presidential candidate, declared he would not run. Former Minister Won has been inactive except for a private meeting with former Chairman Han after the April 10 general election. Considering his defeat to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, in the general election, the political view is that his chances of running in the party convention are low.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and General Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is appealing for support for candidate Na Kyung-won in front of Chung-Ang University Hospital in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Will it be a showdown between Chin-Yoon and Chin-Han factions?

As speculation arises that the Chin-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction might rally support behind a specific candidate to curb Han Dong-hoon’s dominance, a confrontation between the Chin-Yoon and Chin-Han factions is forming. Former Chairman Han experienced several conflicts with President Yoon Seok-yeol during the last general election phase, and the Chin-Yoon faction has criticized him citing the election defeat. Assemblyman Lee Cheol-gyu, considered part of the Chin-Yoon faction, directly criticized the term 'Eodaehan' on the 17th, saying, "That is an insult to party members. The election results must be seen after the votes are counted."

Moreover, since former Chairman Han lacks party member organizational strength, there is a sentiment that if the Chin-Yoon faction fields a candidate among senior party members, they have a chance of winning. However, amid the regime judgment theory, it is known that Chin-Yoon faction members are discussing supporting Assemblyman Na rather than running directly for party leader. They are also actively considering running for Supreme Council member positions. According to the People Power Party’s party rules, if four out of five Supreme Council members resign, the party switches to an emergency system, which could prevent former Chairman Han from exercising full authority even if he becomes party leader. Candidates from the Chin-Yoon faction for Supreme Council member include Assemblymen Shin Dong-wook, Jo Ji-yeon, and Kim Min-jeon.

What is the expected party convention landscape?

With the party convention voting ratio set at 80% party member votes and 20% public opinion polls, former Chairman Han, who has strong party member support, is in a favorable position. On the 17th, News1 commissioned Gallup Korea to survey 1,008 men and women nationwide aged 18 and over (via wireless phone interviews, with a sampling error of ±3.1% at a 95% confidence level) on the 14th?15th, asking, "Among the following figures mentioned as potential candidates, who do you think should become the People Power Party leader?" The results showed 29% supported former Assemblyman Yoo, 27% supported former Chairman Han, 10% supported Assemblyman Ahn, 9% supported Assemblyman Na, and 6% supported former Minister Won. It was a close race within the margin of error. However, among People Power Party supporters, former Chairman Han led significantly with 59%, followed by former Minister Won at 11%, and former Assemblyman Na at 10%. The ruling party perceives that depending on who takes Assemblyman Ahn’s votes, who is not running, and whether candidates unify, surprises could occur. Detailed results of the poll can be found on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

What are the reactions inside and outside the party regarding the convention?

Voices expressing concern about the party convention’s excitement are emerging inside and outside the party. The People Power Party initially coordinated the timing ahead of the Paris Summer Olympics and the Democratic Party’s convention to increase interest and gain a convention effect. Despite the general election defeat, the plan was to boost approval ratings through party reorganization and aim for the 2026 local elections. However, since support for former Chairman Han remains high, there is a forecast that the party convention may struggle to attract attention. A People Power Party official said, "There is more than a month left until the party convention, so there is enough time for surprises to occur," but added, "Since it is one-sided from the start, it remains to be seen whether national interest will be high."