Minimizing Defection Votes in By-Elections
Interpretation of President Yoon Securing Agenda Control in Private Meeting
Pro-Yoon Faction "Concerns Over Party Division" Backlash
Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, is pressuring First Lady Kim Keon-hee to refrain from public appearances amid ongoing controversies. This is interpreted as an effort to minimize vote defections ahead of the October 16 by-elections and to take the lead in agenda-setting during a future private meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol. If the ruling party appears to be defending and shielding First Lady Kim amid various allegations, it risks losing political control to the opposition, which could also affect the next presidential election.
Regarding the various allegations surrounding First Lady Kim and the ruling party's response, Han recently expressed to close associates that "it will be difficult to prevent a special prosecutor investigation if things continue as they are." After holding an on-site supreme council meeting on the 9th to support the by-election campaign for the mayor of Geumjeong District in Busan, Han told reporters that First Lady Kim should restrain her activities. On the 10th, at the Ganghwa Cultural Center in Incheon, he criticized, saying, "I think she only needs to keep the promises made to the public during the presidential election." He also pointed out regarding the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations involving First Lady Kim that "the prosecution must present results that the public can accept."
This is interpreted as a strategic move by the ruling party to avoid a possible crushing defeat in the upcoming by-elections by defending against the various allegations related to First Lady Kim. The opposition has proposed introducing a permanent special prosecutor system that does not even require the president's veto power, and as the allegations against First Lady Kim grow, the People Power Party appears to be on the defensive.
Han's actions are seen as a calculated move to bring up the issue of restraining First Lady Kim's activities as an agenda item during a private meeting with President Yoon after the by-elections, aiming to secure political and policy gains, including changes in attitude regarding legislative conflicts. For President Yoon, who needs party unity to block the opposition's repeated special prosecutor proposals and the push for a permanent special prosecutor, the support of Han, who has shown strength by dining with about 20 pro-Yoon faction lawmakers, is crucial.
On the other hand, the pro-Yoon faction is concerned about division within the ruling party, criticizing Han's attacks on First Lady Kim as excessive. Kang Seung-gyu, a People Power Party lawmaker and former senior secretary for civil society at the presidential office, criticized Han on SBS Radio, saying, "I don't understand what First Lady Kim Keon-hee has done wrong enough to become a victim of the opposition's 'demonization frame.'" Kim Jae-won, a supreme council member, also pointed out on YTN Radio that Han's approach "ultimately becomes a trigger for conservative division."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
