Handonghun "When It's Time to Change... If Not Done Properly, It Leads to Misfortune" [Party Leadership Candidate Interview]①

Controversy Over Ignoring Kim Yeosa's Texts: "Personal Attacks... Will Endure"
"Third-Party Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act Is a Means to Overcome the Special Prosecutor"
Growth, Fair Competition, Security, and Gap Reduction Are Conservative Values

Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, said on the 5th, "If we do not properly change when it is time to change, many people will become unhappy." On that day, Han gave an interview to Asia Economy at his campaign office in Daesan Building, Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and regarding some metropolitan mayors within the party, including Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, refusing to meet him and criticizing him, he said, "I am talking about change now. Change makes many people uncomfortable." Regarding the controversy over ignoring First Lady Kim Geon-hee's text messages, he said, "It is close to a personal attack," but added, "I will endure it."

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has advocated for the Third-Party Chaesangbyeong Special Prosecutor Act, which recommends a special prosecutor.

Hasn't the situation changed immediately? Previously, those in favor of the special prosecutor and those against it were close to a 7 to 3 ratio, but now the situation has shifted to a special prosecutor appointed by the Democratic Party or one appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. According to opinion polls, the approval rate for the special prosecutor appointed by the Democratic Party has fallen below the majority. If so, isn't that evidence that the Third-Party Chaesangbyeong Special Prosecutor Act can be a means to overcome the situation?

If the Third-Party Chaesangbyeong Special Prosecutor Act passes as Han suggests, how did President Yoon persuade others?

(Regarding the opposition to the special prosecutor law) I share the view that "the special prosecutor law pushed by the Democratic Party is very wrong." However, since we are a conservative party that values veterans and national security as if they were our lives, it is important to send an active message to uncover the truth on this issue. I believe members of our party will agree with this idea. For example, they will feel a sense of crisis about our party becoming vulnerable as this situation repeats.

Other candidates' attacks seem to be intensifying. The controversy over ignoring First Lady Kim Geon-hee's text messages has also surfaced.

I also find that very regrettable. Negative campaigning sometimes has policy or philosophical directions, but now it is close to personal attacks. If I respond to each one, it will only deepen the conflict and make the public frown more, so I will endure it.

Before entering politics in December last year, you had little connection with conservative parties.

I served as Minister of Justice for two years under a conservative government and fought against the Democratic Party. The core values of conservatism are growth, fair competition, guaranteeing the humane life of those not participating in competition, prioritizing national security, and a strong will against crime. I proposed changing the target of espionage charges from enemy states to foreign countries including China and Russia, and even submitted a bill to include the right of bereaved families to claim consolation money in the State Compensation Act. Regarding crime, I introduced life imprisonment without parole and the Korean-style Jessica Law, and I was also responsible for punishing non-prosecution offenses. The introduction of reciprocity for foreign voters is the same. I think I am the most right-wing among the candidates.

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

Some criticize that the party lost the general election due to the 'Lee-Jo (Lee Jae-myung and Cho Kuk) judgment theory.'

Many people seem to confuse and mix the timing context. Although I talked a lot about policies, in the face of the regime judgment theory that grew too large (such as the controversy over former Minister Lee Jong-seop's appointment as ambassador to Australia), it was useless. When they say they want to judge us, it was necessary in this heated political situation to say "they are also subject to judgment."

What do you think about the phrase 'Eodaehan (Anyway, the party leader is Han Dong-hoon)'?

There is no such thing as 'anyway' in politics. You shouldn't do politics like that. I will calmly respect public opinion. However, when I meet supporters in Yeongnam or the metropolitan area, they say 100 days was a bit short for you. And I think that is about the level of expectation that I can beat former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

If you become party leader, what will you first persuade former Democratic Party leader Lee and Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party?

The National Assembly must operate normally. The spirit of parliamentary agreement is key. I will persuade them to operate in a way that revives the spirit of parliamentary agreement. Politics is about reaching agreements. That does not mean crimes will disappear. That is not an area for compromise.

What will you do if you become party leader?

Our party must definitely close the gap. As a minority party, we must lead policies that appeal to the public. There are many precedents where the ruling party did good politics even when it was a minority party. That happened when we were with public sentiment. We must clearly show that we do what the public likes and do not do what the public dislikes. That is change, and if that change does not happen now, we believe we have no future.

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@