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On the 23rd, the 4th National Convention of the People Power Party was held at Exhibition Hall 1 of KINTEX in Gyeonggi Province, where over 6,000 delegates and party members gathered, culminating in the election of the Han Dong-hoon leadership and concluding a month-long schedule. Although conflicts arose throughout the convention period not only among candidates but also among supporters, the party leadership, President Yoon Seok-yeol, and newly elected leader Han Dong-hoon all emphasized "party unity" in unison.
Seo Byung-soo, the election management committee chairman of the People Power Party, announced at the 4th National Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang from 2 p.m. for about three and a half hours that candidate Han was elected as party leader based on the combined results of party member votes and opinion polls.
Handonghun, the newly appointed party leader of the People Power Party, is delivering his acceptance speech at the 4th Party Convention of the People Power Party held on the 23rd at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Candidate Han received 62.65% (255,930 votes) from the electorate and 63.46% (64,772 votes) in the opinion poll conversion, totaling 62.84% (320,702 votes), securing first place. Han was elected party leader without a runoff by winning a majority in the first round. Candidate Won Hee-ryong came in second with a combined 18.85%, Na Kyung-won third with 14.58%, and Yoon Sang-hyun fourth with 3.73%.
For the Supreme Council members, Jang Dong-hyuk, Kim Jae-won, In Yo-han, and Kim Min-jeon were elected, and Jin Jong-oh was chosen as the youth supreme council member.
Over 6,000 Delegates Rally Amid Heavy Rain... AI Technology Introduced for the First Time at the Convention
At this convention, 6,317 out of 9,423 delegates composed of People Power Party members attended. Despite the heavy rain and bad weather, supporters of each candidate gathered, hanging banners inside and outside the convention hall to cheer. They also mobilized performance groups and installed sound equipment to ensure that the names of their supported candidates were not drowned out by those of rival candidates, engaging in an all-out effort.
In the early stages of the convention, the hosts encouraged applause from each city and provincial party gathered in the hall. However, after calling out the Gwangju and Jeonnam city and provincial parties up to the Seoul city party, the host asked those who did not applaud, "Are those who do not clap unidentified spies?" When one attendee said, "Jeonbuk provincial party was not called," the host responded, "Should Jeonbuk be called separately?" This caused controversy and led to an apology for the awkward incident.
The People Power Party, which adopted the slogan "NEXT, Progressive Conservatism" for this convention, highlighted itself as a future-oriented party by actively introducing artificial intelligence (AI) technology. First, an AI photo booth was installed for delegates and supporters to enjoy before the convention started, where AI recognized faces and transformed them into characters. Also, instead of inviting singers for congratulatory performances as is customary, considering flood issues, the party replaced them with traditional media art performances using large LED screens.
Notably, AI technology brought to life former conservative presidents such as Lee Seung-man, Park Chung-hee, and Kim Young-sam, who delivered congratulatory speeches. Former President Lee spoke about liberal democracy and security, President Park about economic growth, and President Kim about democratization, explaining the success stories of South Korea. They also expressed gratitude to the next leadership and party members of the People Power Party. President Kim said, "I send strong support to the protagonists who will lead the future of the Republic of Korea." Attendees applauded and cheered each time a former president appeared.
Although the event had a human host, the AI assistant host "Himi" also conducted segments. Before the announcement of the vote count, Himi held a "NEXT Innovation Talk" and asked the party leader candidates how they would address the "population problem." Candidate Won proposed a "three-day workweek," Na Kyung-won suggested a "special low birthrate fund," Yoon proposed "tuition exemption," and leader Han mentioned "discussions on foreign immigration," among other ideas.
Amid Various Allegations and Controversies, Criticized as a 'Messy Convention'... Party Leadership, Yoon, and Han All Emphasize Unity and Harmony
Handonghun, the elected leader of the People Power Party, is delivering his acceptance speech at the 4th People Power Party Convention held on the 23rd at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
Not only Hwang Woo-yeo, the emergency committee chairman, and Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader, but also President Yoon Seok-yeol and leader Han all stressed the need to "stick together." Throughout the convention, party leader candidates engaged in fierce battles over issues such as the third-party Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law, the controversy over ignoring texts from Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, and the disclosure of the fast-track case indictment cancellation, earning the convention the stigma of a "messy convention." They emphasized the need to overcome this and unite against the opposition.
In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon explained achievements such as sound fiscal policy and the Czech nuclear power plant contract, then said, "No matter how much we want to work, the political situation makes it difficult," urging the People Power Party to unite and show a consolidated strength to overcome the extreme minority government situation.
Earlier, around 3 p.m., President Yoon entered the convention hall to the cheer song "Again Korea! Again Korea!" He delayed entry for five minutes while shaking hands and greeting supporters. Taking his seat in the VIP section in front of the podium, President Yoon shook hands and greeted not only candidates Yoon, Na, and Won but also leader Han, with whom there had been conflicts. He also gave a brief greeting. Candidate Han bowed about 60 degrees in greeting. However, as in the previous year, President Yoon left without confirming the party leader election results to attend his next schedule.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with Han Dong-hoon, the candidate for party leader, as he enters the People Power Party's 4th national convention held on the 23rd at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
At 4:58 p.m., upon hearing the party leader election results, leader Han teared up and embraced and shook hands with the competing candidates. In his acceptance speech, he said, "There were times of overheating and conflicts during the convention. I know party comrades had a difficult month," and apologized, saying, "I am sorry and regretful." He continued, "Former President Park Geun-hye, who lost the 2007 presidential primary, said, 'Let's forget everything that happened during the primary. If it cannot be forgotten overnight, then over several days or weeks.' That phrase became a word that mended the cracks and healed the wounds of the fierce primary process."
He also emphasized unity, saying, "Everyone, don't you really want to be loved by the people? I truly want that. Not only will I explain, listen, and persuade party members and colleagues when there are differences within the party, but I will also care for the hearts of those who did not support me." He pledged, "I will pursue politics that party members who chose me will not regret, politics that respects those who did not choose me, and politics that even those who do not support the People Power Party will nod in agreement."
At a press conference held after the convention, leader Han also stated, "I say there will be no political factions such as pro-Han or pro-whomever in our party going forward," emphasizing, "For example, when someone is called pro-Han, it means those who follow me unconditionally support and follow me even if I make mistakes. Our party will not have such people. I will work with many capable people to overcome this crisis and build a foundation for victory."
Party-Government Conflict Resolution Uncertain... Han Says "Prosecution Should Have Considered Public Expectations Regarding Kim Geon-hee's Summons"
Handonghun, the elected leader of the People Power Party, is embracing his competitor, candidate Nakyeongwon, after the announcement of the vote count at the 4th People Power Party Convention held on the 23rd at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
President Yoon and candidate Han exchanged warm greetings, and Han plans to visit President Yoon soon. However, it seems insufficient to rapidly restore party-government relations.
At the press conference, leader Han expressed discomfort regarding the prosecution's investigation method of Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, saying, "They should have considered the public's expectations more." On the 21st, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office summoned Mrs. Kim not at the prosecution office but at the Security Office annex in Seoul and reported the matter to Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok afterward. Han said, "The first lady made a decision to face the investigation directly after delays. I think the prosecution should conclude fairly and promptly," but added, "However, I think they should have considered the public's expectations more when setting investigation principles."
Han also said, "Basically, I think the conflicts during the convention period should be left in the past and we should move forward to the future with harmony and unity." However, regarding legal actions on allegations raised against him during the convention process, such as the "fabricated video of former President Park Geun-hye's sentencing" and the Ministry of Justice's comment team operation allegations, he reserved judgment, saying, "Isn't it something made up? I am not sure if it can simply be withdrawn."
Han Dong-hoon, the newly appointed leader of the People Power Party, is waving the party flag at the 4th Party Convention of the People Power Party held on the 23rd at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
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