Request to Withdraw Prosecution Exposed in One Day
Ruling Party Lawmakers and Regional Leaders Severely Criticized
Korea Issues First Apology Since Entering Politics
Concern Over Party Members' Vote Shift Evident
Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, apologized on the 18th for his revelation regarding Na Kyung-won's request to cancel the Fast Track indictment, stating, "I did not intend to belittle those who suffered from the Fast Track clash incident." This is interpreted as a reflection of the growing public criticism of Han not only from candidates Na Kyung-won and Won Hee-ryong but also from lawmakers within the party.
On the same day, Han posted on his Facebook, "I apologize for my lack of prudence," and expressed regret for his statement that he had received a request from Na to cancel the Fast Track indictment during his tenure as Minister of Justice. Han also said, "The Fast Track clash incident occurred as we stood up for our party to block harmful laws such as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act. I want to clarify that I did not intend to belittle those who suffered from the Fast Track clash incident," adding, "We will strengthen legal support for the trials related to the Fast Track clash incident and review and promote mutual non-prosecution agreements and grand political promises between the ruling and opposition parties to prevent recurrence."
Earlier, Na attacked Han during a People Power Party leader debate hosted by CBS, asking, "Why didn't you detain former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung when you were Minister of Justice?" Han retorted, "Is it the Minister of Justice's duty to intervene in investigations to ensure warrants are issued?" and revealed, "Didn't Na ask me to cancel her Fast Track indictment?" Na is currently on trial for obstructing a parliamentary session by occupying the National Assembly's agenda office and meeting rooms during the 2019 Fast Track processing when she was the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party).
Handonghun (from left), Nakyeongwon, Yunsanghyeon, and Won Heeryong, candidates for the People Power Party leadership, raise their hands to greet at the 4th Party Convention and the joint speech meeting for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon held on the 17th at Goyang Sono Arena in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Han did not show any sign of apology when meeting reporters after a joint speech event in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon the previous afternoon, but changed his stance within a day. This is interpreted as a response to public criticism from not only his competitors Na and Won Hee-ryong but also incumbent lawmakers and metropolitan mayors, raising concerns about losing party members' support. The People Power Party will conduct mobile voting for party member electorates on the 19th and 20th, followed by ARS voting and public opinion surveys on the 21st and 22nd. In this party leader election, party member votes account for 80%, and public opinion 20%, giving a higher weight to party member votes.
Won attended a regular seminar of Saemijun, an external pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction group, held at the Air Force Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, in the morning, and told reporters, "'Han (Dong-hoon) says 'I am always right' and attacks and retaliates against those who point out the issue. I don't know if this is why these remarks came out or if it's an attempt to throw him into the abyss this time." He continued his offensive, saying there is no sense of comradeship. Na also told reporters after the Saemijun seminar, "Han seems to be reckless. He lacks discernment about what should and should not be said," adding, "This is a case of retaliatory prosecution by the Moon Jae-in administration against the opposition. Seeing him mention this shows a serious lack of discernment."
Lee Cheol-gyu, a key pro-Yoon lawmaker, criticized on Facebook, "Such words and actions are extremely wrong. We must evaluate whether a person's words and actions are for their own benefit or for the group and public interest they belong to," adding, "Our party comrades are suffering from the manipulations of the shameless Democratic Party forces and legal technicians. Unjust indictments should be canceled as it aligns with justice. Those who lurked around the left are now meddling in our party, giving orders and interfering."
Kim Ki-hyun, a former party leader, also wrote on Facebook, "Even if you cannot sympathize with the pain of our comrades who have become unjust victims, you should not cause secondary harm." Kang Seung-gyu, who served as the first chief of civil society at the presidential office under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, questioned on Facebook, "Is it an unfair request to ask for measures according to the procedures stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Act as a legitimate protest against unconstitutional behavior?" Kwon Seong-dong, known as an original pro-Yoon figure, criticized on Facebook, "Should we dig into the pain of individual party lawmakers and the entire party in the intra-party election?"
Yoon Han-hong also pointed out in a group chat among lawmakers, "I absolutely cannot believe the words of someone who wants to become our party leader." It is reported that some lawmakers expressed agreement with Yoon's comment. Provincial governors from the People Power Party, including Kim Tae-heum of Chungnam, Lee Cheol-woo of Gyeongbuk, and Hong Joon-pyo of Daegu, also criticized Han's remarks and launched an offensive.
After finishing a meeting with the Seoul Metropolitan Council in the afternoon, Han told reporters, "I apologized unconditionally," and reiterated his apology, saying, "I spoke and immediately regretted it. I thought I shouldn't have said that."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
