Yongsan, Myung Taekyun Incident & Han Donghoon Meeting 'Weighing Options'... "Let's See After the By-Elections"

Election Results Mark Turning Point in Yoon-Han Private Meeting Discussions on Scope and Depth
Kim's Activities Likely to Influence Establishment of Second Secretariat

President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, who came to greet him upon his return at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 11th after his state visits to the Philippines and Singapore and the ASEAN Summit in Laos.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

As political broker Myeong Tae-gyun's series of revelations continue day after day, putting the Presidential Office in a difficult position, the by-elections held on this day are expected to become a turning point that will determine Yongsan's future stance. The by-elections will not only serve as a barometer of public sentiment after the general election but also act as an inflection point that will decide the breadth and depth of discussions during the scheduled meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon after the election.

According to the Presidential Office and political circles on the 16th, the Presidential Office immediately denied the release of KakaoTalk messages exchanged between Mrs. Kim Geon-hee and Myeong the previous day, clarifying that the "oppa" referred to by Mrs. Kim was not President Yoon but her biological older brother. However, some quarters remain unconvinced, causing the office to struggle with how to respond. Especially as even the opposition party and the ruling party leader have taken a sharp stance against Mrs. Kim, there is growing concern about what solutions and measures will be taken to overcome the crisis.

Yongsan is greatly displeased with Myeong's expos? but is anxious that it might become a negative factor in the imminent by-elections. The Presidential Office is likely to base its response on the election results. Fearing that an immediate reaction could backfire, the Presidential Office staff are refraining from making related statements as much as possible. A Presidential Office official dismissed the issue, saying, "Isn't this just a political broker trying various things and ultimately being ignored? This is not something Yongsan should be swayed by."

On the other hand, within the People Power Party, opinions contrary to the Presidential Office's stance have emerged. Choi Kyung-tae, the most senior member of the party, said in a radio interview that day, "Politicians often encounter various brokers and others, but if it leads to a crime, then related investigations and punishments should follow." However, regarding the Presidential Office's response the previous day, he evaluated, "It's a situation where what could have been stopped with a hoe now can't be stopped even with a plow," expressing doubt about whether the public can be convinced.

Within the ruling party, attention is focused on the results of the Busan Geumjeong District mayoral election, a politically symbolic area with strong conservative support. While cautiously predicting victory, there is concern about the aftershocks of the Myeong Tae-gyun incident that erupted just before the election. A key ruling party official said, "Although the situation is favorable, recent polls suggest we must not let our guard down until the very end," adding, "Some are pointing out that Yongsan's explanation regarding Myeong was a strategic mistake, so we must closely monitor the situation and do our best to protect our stronghold."

Depending on the election results, the private meeting between President Yoon and Leader Han is also expected to take a more concrete shape. Analyses suggest that the format of the meeting and discussions related to Mrs. Kim could vary according to the election outcome. For Leader Han, the by-elections are the first test since becoming party leader, and he has taken a differentiated stance even at odds with Yongsan, making a decisive move. If he loses the election, it would inevitably deal a significant blow. The restraint on Mrs. Kim's activities and the slow establishment of the second secretariat are also expected to be influenced by the election results.