4-term Veteran "Should Not Appear as Conflict or Discord Between Party and Government"
Pro-Roh Faction "Signal That the Presidential Office Should Not Act Arbitrarily"
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, opposed the reinstatement of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, raising concerns about a potential conflict with the presidential office. However, the ruling party is maintaining a cautious stance to avoid escalation. Pro-Han faction members expressed discomfort with the reinstatement issue being perceived as a 'Yoon-Han conflict' while also warning the presidential office to 'listen to public sentiment.'
The government will hold a Cabinet meeting on the morning of the 13th to decide on Kim's reinstatement. Leader Han had previously conveyed his opposition to the presidential office multiple times and, after a luncheon meeting with senior four-term lawmakers the day before, stated, "My position has already been made known and sufficiently conveyed."
Senior lawmakers exchanged opinions at the luncheon that reinstating Kim was inappropriate but were cautious about the issue escalating into a larger conflict. A senior lawmaker who attended the luncheon said in a phone interview, "(Reinstatement) is the president's exclusive authority, and there was talk that if we keep discussing a decision that has already been made, it might appear as if there is discord and conflict between the party and the government." He added, "We made a recommendation to the presidential office that Kim's reinstatement was inappropriate, but we did not deny the president's exclusive authority." He continued, "If the president ultimately decides on the reinstatement, both Leader Han and we will accept it. Leader Han has never actively opposed it; he only conveyed his opposition indirectly."
Pro-Han Faction: "A Signal That the Presidential Office Should Not Act Arbitrarily Going Forward"
A party official from the pro-Han faction said in a phone interview, "It is quite burdensome that the reinstatement issue is perceived as a Yoon-Han conflict, but I think it is a normalization process toward a healthy party-government relationship rather than a conflict." He added, "The party's role is to bring the presidential office closer when it drifts away from public and party sentiment. Until now, the party failed to fulfill that role and was unilaterally led by the presidential office. Now, the party leader is speaking his mind." Regarding Leader Han's opposition being reported in the media, he explained, "It should send a signal that the presidential office should not act arbitrarily going forward. It also leaves a record that we held opposing views."
Kim Jong-hyuk, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, also appeared on SBS Radio that day and said, "Logically, it is difficult to find a justifiable reason to make such a decision at this very moment." He added, "It is clear that the party and government should unite to fight against the Democratic Party. I hope the decision-making process is more rational and carried out through mutual consultation." He further stated, "The president's pardon authority is an exclusive right, but isn't it a political act? If the president chooses not to exercise it, there is nothing to be done, but I think there should be consultation with the ruling party regarding political acts."
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