Criticism of 'Ignoring Texts' Candidates Called "Audacious"
On the 8th, Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, stated, "Even if I become the party leader, I will not discuss party affairs with the First Lady."
After a joint speech at the party convention held in Gwangju that day, Han met with reporters and addressed the controversy regarding his alleged disregard of a message containing an apology intention from First Lady Kim Keon-hee related to the 'luxury bag suspicion' ahead of the general election in January. He said, "We must clearly distinguish between public and private matters."
Han emphasized, "At that time, I conveyed the need for an apology to the Presidential Office, and as a result, I suffered significant damage." He was referring to the pressure he received from the Presidential Office to resign as the emergency response committee chairman after demanding an apology from the First Lady through 'official channels.'
He argued, "Yoon Sang-hyun, Na Kyung-won, and Won Hee-ryong were not the ones who said an apology was necessary," and claimed that it seemed "brazen" for these candidates, who remained silent on the issue at the time, to criticize him for ignoring the text message.
He also pointed out, "If I had exchanged replies with the First Lady through private channels in that situation, wouldn't the opposition party have accused us of state affairs manipulation once the messages were revealed?"
Then, addressing candidates Na, Won, and Yoon, he said, "If I become the party leader, I want to ask whether you would respond if the First Lady inquires about party affairs." Regarding Won's allegation that Han discussed nomination issues with his family during his time as emergency committee chairman, Han rebutted, "There is absolutely no such fact. I have always placed great importance on distinguishing between public and private matters," calling it a "typical old-fashioned practice."
He added, "This is serious defamation," and stated, "If such a thing exists, I will immediately withdraw my candidacy."
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