Na·Won·Yoon "Han Dong-hoon, Politics of Betrayal"
Han "Politics of Fear Marketing and Self-Harm"
Camp and Ruling Party Figures Also Join
Four Candidates Promote Platforms Through Media Interviews
Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, and Yoon Sang-hyun, candidates running for the People Power Party leadership election, have been intensively attacking candidate Han Dong-hoon, accusing him of being a figure who would betray President Yoon Seok-yeol. Han, in turn, has rebutted these claims as 'fear marketing,' leading to a daily exchange of fierce confrontations. The race is shaping up as a 1-strong (Han Dong-hoon) versus 3-strong (Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, Yoon Sang-hyun) dynamic, with the three candidates surrounding and attacking the leading candidate.
On the 1st, Han posted on Facebook addressing the other candidates, saying, "Some candidates are preoccupied with 'fear marketing,'" and added, "Such fear marketing is old-fashioned gaslighting, a subtractive and self-harming politics that drives away existing supporters rather than expanding them." He continued, "Our People Power Party leadership election should be a festival that brings back supporters who have left," and proposed, "I suggest all candidates launch a 'voter turnout promotion campaign.'"
Previously, Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, and Yoon Sang-hyun criticized Han for running without taking responsibility for the general election defeat after his candidacy announcement. In response, Han posted on Facebook on the 30th of last month, stating, "Na Kyung-won and Won Hee-ryong served as co-chairs of the national election campaign committee, and Yoon Sang-hyun was the Incheon campaign committee chair, all working alongside me in election leadership," and shared photos from the campaign, saying, "I also sincerely worked hard for the election of these three."
In particular, Han's proposal of a third-party special prosecutor law for Chae Sang-byeong and his remark that "the ones who must not be betrayed are the Republic of Korea and its people" have been criticized as "politics of betrayal against the party and the president."
The term "politics of betrayal" became famous when former President Park Geun-hye directly attacked Yoo Seung-min, then the Saenuri Party floor leader and her former chief of staff. Among conservative supporters, this phrase is seen as a trauma of ruling party division. The implication is that Han's defiance against President Yoon could cause division and weakening of the conservative camp.
After Han posted on Facebook, candidate Won also responded on his own Facebook, saying, "Han proposed to make the leadership election a fair festival that shows the future, which is truly a shocking statement. Is Han a member of the Democratic Party?" He added, "If he said that knowing the current situation we face, it raises doubts whether he is a People Power Party member or a Democratic Party member."
At a 'Nuclear Armament Three Principles' seminar held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that day, Representative Na told reporters, "I think Han is a very valuable asset, but not one suitable for the position of party leader," and pointed out, "One of the important roles and qualifications of the party leader is to have a trusting relationship with the president. I am concerned because it seems that the trust between President Yoon and Han has broken down."
Representative Yoon also stated in a KBS radio interview that former committee chairman Han's "trust with the president is completely broken," and argued, "Without trust, no party-government relationship can be properly established."
Following the exchanges among candidates, tensions appear to be rising within their camps and the ruling party as well. Kim Min-soo, spokesperson for Na's campaign, commented on the editorial shared by Han from Daegu Newspaper, saying, "The editorial states that ruling party figures who said nothing during opposition struggles do not hesitate to criticize internally. Which candidate among Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, and Yoon Sang-hyun held back during opposition struggles?" He added, "Claiming to have fought alone is internal criticism, arrogance, and a false frame."
People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, supporting Han's campaign, wrote on her social media, "Some are outraged at Han's proposal to make the leadership election a fair festival to restore confidence among party members and supporters," and added, "Those aspiring to lead the party should not now ask members to reflect. Reflection and diagnosis should have been done earlier, and at least now, they should present a path of healing and recovery to party members and supporters."
Meanwhile, the four candidates visited Yeongnam, where 40% of People Power Party responsible members are concentrated, including TK (Daegu·Gyeongbuk) and PK (Busan·Gyeongnam) regions last week, and this week they have increased contact with the media to appeal to public opinion.
After holding a seminar at the National Assembly, candidate Na will hold a meeting with party members from Jungyeongdo, Haeundae-eul, Jin, Saha-gap, Sasang, and Gangseo in Busan. Pre-recorded YTN and KBS radio programs will also be broadcast that day.
Candidate Won will start with an appearance on Channel A, followed by meetings with Chungbuk Governor Kim Young-hwan, visits to the Chungbuk provincial party, and meetings with party members in Chungju, Jecheon, and Jeongyang-gun, targeting public sentiment in Chungbuk. Candidate Yoon will participate in a morning meeting at the Incheon city party office and conduct interviews with KBS 1 Radio and TV.
Candidate Han plans to focus on appearances on CBS Radio, Yonhap News TV, TV Chosun YouTube, and MBN to lead public opinion.
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