Handonghun: "The 10-Second Call with President Yoon Is a Rumor... Will Block Impeachment Offensive"

"I am pro-Korea... pro-Korean people, pro-Korean nation, pro-People Power Party"
"Running for president? If it's me a year from now, I will run"

Han Dong-hoon, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, mentioned his relationship with President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 24th, stating, "I hope President Yoon remains a successful president." Han said in a Channel A news interview that he has known President Yoon for a long time and described him as "a dynamic leader" with "remarkable intuition, which has often surprised me throughout my life."

Former Emergency Response Committee member and People Power Party leadership candidate Han Dong-hoon is seen conversing with officials after completing his registration as a candidate for the party representative in the July 23 party convention at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He added, "Over the years, there were times when our thoughts differed and times when they aligned, but ultimately we found solutions through discussions, and that process was enjoyable." When asked by the host whether he agreed with being labeled an anti-Yoon candidate during the general election, he replied, "It is possible to divide factions based on policy support or opposition, but I do not agree with dividing based on personal relationships." He emphasized, "This classification is useless from the people's perspective. If I had to categorize, I am pro-country. Pro-people, pro-nation, and pro-People Power Party."

Regarding whether he would meet President Yoon if he became party leader, Han said, "The synergy of the ruling party lies in cooperation with the president and the government," adding, "We can have deep discussions about what we will do for the country, how to block unjust attacks, and how to better explain things to the people." On the opposition's mention of President Yoon's impeachment, he described it as "an utterly baseless and irresponsible statement that increases public confusion and anxiety," and explained, "Such harm ultimately falls on the people. If I become party leader, I will take the lead in blocking such irresponsible political offensives."

Han also appeared on TV Chosun news the same day and was asked about the party-government relationship. He responded, "(President Yoon and I) hold very important public duties. Personal relationships do not influence this," adding, "I have never lived that way, and I will not in the future."

When the host asked if it was true that he had a phone call with President Yoon lasting about 10 seconds, Han said, "Can a conversation be done in 10 seconds? That sounds like a rumor," and added, "If I become party leader, the party-government relationship will become much healthier, with more mutual respect and cooperation without friction."

Regarding whether he would run in the presidential election, he said, "This is not something to talk about now. The desire for regime re-creation is the aspiration of our camp and those who support the People Power Party," adding, "From a strategic perspective, if someone is capable, they must run, but whether that is me cannot be said at this stage." He continued, "If it is me about a year from now, I will definitely run. If it is Na Kyung-won, I will certainly push her to run, and the same goes for Won Hee-ryong and Yoon Sang-hyun."