Kim Jong-hyuk "Presidential Office Trying to Cover the Sky with Palm"
Han Dong-hoon "The Measures I Mentioned Must Be Implemented"
Despite the presidential office's official explanation that there is no "Kim Geon-hee faction," suspicions from the pro-Han faction are expected to continue. The pro-Han faction insists that the upcoming private meeting between People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and President Yoon Seok-yeol, scheduled for early next week, should include discussions on personnel reshuffling within the presidential office and restraint in Kim Geon-hee's activities.
On the 15th, Shin Ji-ho, the People Power Party's Deputy Head of Strategic Planning, said in a phone interview, "We will continue to raise issues (with the presidential office)." This was in response to the stance that only the president's faction exists within the presidential office. When asked whether he believes Leader Han should mention issues related to Kim Geon-hee during his private meeting with President Yoon, he replied, "Yes." On the same day, Kim Jong-hyuk, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, appeared on CBS Radio and said, "They say the (Kim Geon-hee) faction does not exist. But when recalling past events, I have doubts about whether that is a reasonable explanation," adding, "It feels like trying to cover the sky with the palm of one's hand."
Another pro-Han party official said in a phone interview, "Is there anyone who doesn't know that there is a Kim Geon-hee faction in the presidential office?" and emphasized, "In a situation where there are suspicions, the presidential office should provide more thorough explanations or take personnel reshuffling measures." Earlier, Leader Han had stated that something like a faction for Kim Geon-hee, who holds no official position, should not exist. The pro-Han faction initially took the stance that "if such a faction does not exist in the presidential office, they should just clarify that," but it is interpreted that they judged the presidential office's explanation alone to be insufficient amid public suspicions.
Ahead of the October 16 by-elections, Leader Han has increased pressure on the presidential office and Kim Geon-hee, fearing that worsening public opinion could negatively affect the election. Official requests such as "restraint in Kim Geon-hee's activities" and "personnel reshuffling in the presidential office" are representative examples. Regarding Kim Geon-hee's use of the term "oppa" in a KakaoTalk conversation with Myung Tae-gyun, known as a political broker, the day before, he said, "Unpleasant incidents are repeatedly happening in the eyes of the public. It is necessary to swiftly and surely implement the measures I have already mentioned."
Meanwhile, with Myung reportedly continuing to prepare disclosures related to Kim Geon-hee and the ruling party, analyses suggest that the calculations between Leader Han and the presidential office could become more complicated. If the results of the scheduled by-elections on that day turn out unfavorable, there is a possibility that the pro-Han and pro-Yoon factions will hold each other accountable, potentially prolonging turmoil within the ruling party.
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