[Insight & Opinion] People Power Party Leadership Race Trapped by the 'Kim Gun-hee Text Message'

Party Leadership Race to Shape the Future of Conservative Politics
Blame Game Over General Election Defeat Intensifies Without Reform

The ‘Kim Gun-hee text message’ suddenly emerged as the biggest issue in the People Power Party’s (PPP) leadership election. The trigger was when Kim Gyu-wan, CBS Editorial Director, appeared on CBS radio recently and revealed the content of a text message Kim Gun-hee sent to Han Dong-hoon, then the PPP Emergency Committee Chairman, last January. According to his claim, Kim expressed her willingness to apologize, saying, “If the party needs it, I am willing to accept any punishment, including a public apology.” The text reportedly said, “If you want me to apologize, I will do so, and if you request anything more, I will comply. I hope you will consider this as per your wishes.” This is a kind of twist, as it suggests that Kim had already conveyed her intention to apologize regarding the Dior bag controversy, which was a major issue between the ruling and opposition parties during the general election and significantly influenced voters’ sentiments.

However, Han reportedly did not respond to this message at all. In colloquial terms, he ‘read and ignored’ it. If this is true, it means that an apology from Kim regarding the Dior bag issue, which put the ruling party on the defensive during the last general election, could have been possible but was dismissed by Han, leading to its failure and ultimately contributing to the election defeat.

When this information became known, other candidates running for party leader unanimously criticized Han. Attacks such as “He dismissed it without internal party discussion” (Won Hee-ryong), “It could have helped the election, but he effectively obstructed it” (Na Kyung-won), and “If the First Lady sent a text, he should have responded” (Yoon Sang-hyun) were all directed at Han. Although Han is leading the PPP leadership race, since 80% of the party leader selection is based on party member votes, this issue could become a variable depending on party sentiment.

In response, Han emphasized that “During the general election period, communication was conducted through official channels with the Presidential Office, and I conveyed several times that an apology was necessary in some form.” Han explained that he thought it was inappropriate for the ruling party’s emergency committee chairman and the First Lady to discuss official and political matters through private means.

This controversy is complex. Han’s explanation that it is inappropriate for the ruling party leader to discuss official matters privately has merit. However, despite this textbook explanation, the fact remains that Kim herself expressed her willingness to apologize and follow the ruling party’s wishes, yet the failure to act on this falls on Han. Ultimately, it is difficult to avoid criticism of a lack of political skill that caused a potentially resolvable issue to fail.

That said, the other candidates who are now escalating this issue in the leadership election to attack Han do not look good either. Which of them actively spoke out about the need for Kim’s apology at that time? Moreover, the timing of the disclosure of this text message right before the leadership election is also questionable.

Above all, the problem is the ruling party’s leadership election being trapped by the ‘Kim Gun-hee text message’ issue. So far, the candidates have only engaged in battles reflecting the ‘Han Dong-hoon vs. anti-Han Dong-hoon’ or ‘pro-Yoon vs. anti-Yoon’ factional conflicts, such as blaming Han for the general election defeat or party-government discord. There were even concerns about a ‘second petition incident’ as pro-Yoon outside district party chairpersons considered holding a press conference demanding Han’s withdrawal. As a result, there is no presentation of alternatives or visions on how the PPP should reform and be reborn. The leadership election to select the party leader who will determine the future of conservative politics is becoming a low-level contest lacking substance. The PPP is also covering up public criticism of the Democratic Party’s ‘Lee Jae-myung one-man regime.’ If this continues, one wonders if the PPP has a future. Can conservative politics dreaming of regaining power survive such a factional leadership election? When will the PPP ever come to its senses?

Yoo Chang-sun, Political Commentator