Handonghun: "I received a text from First Lady Kim Geonhee... but it was in the context of it being difficult to apologize"

"Couldn't Apologize Because of Me? Is That a Possible Scenario?"

Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, denied allegations that he ignored text messages from Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, stating, "I recall that it was meant to emphasize that there were circumstances making it difficult to apologize in reality."

On the 5th, Han appeared on KBS1's 'Sasa Geongeon' and said, "I had already officially demanded an apology from Kim Geon-hee in January, and even after that, I was conveying through official channels that an apology should be made to the Yongsan Presidential Office. In that situation, a text came from Mrs. Kim, but is it really possible to say that because I did not accept the apology, Mrs. Kim did not apologize?"

Handonghun, the People Power Party's representative candidate, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Yeouido campaign office in Seoul. Photo by Huh Younghan younghan@

Earlier, Kim Gyu-wan, CBS Editorial Director, claimed on the evening of the 5th on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One Round Match' that in January, when suspicions about Mrs. Kim's luxury handbag acceptance grew, she sent a text to Han expressing her intention to apologize to the public but received no response. Mrs. Kim reportedly said, "If the party deems it necessary, I will accept any disciplinary action, including a public apology," but Han allegedly ignored this.

Han responded, "After I demanded an apology from Mrs. Kim, there were calls for me to resign as the emergency committee chairman. Given this situation, trying to pin this issue on me is too unreasonable." He added, "After that, there was no apology or anything from Mrs. Kim. Saying that I did not allow the apology and that is why it was not made is too unreasonable and does not align with the facts."

He stated, "President Yoon Seok-yeol and I share the exact same political goal: to successfully complete the Yoon Seok-yeol administration." He also said, "If I become party leader, I can create a smooth and healthy relationship between the party and the government."

Regarding the intensifying attacks against him amid the fierce competition for party leader, he said, "Competition naturally involves such things," but added, "It seems that negative and personal attack campaigns are increasing. However, since this is an internal party election to find the future of our party, I hope such behavior will be restrained."