President Yoon and Representative Han Dong-hoon to Meet This Afternoon... A Turning Point in Party-Government Relations

Discussion Outlook on Risk Solutions for First Lady Kim Geon-hee
If Yoon-Han Conflict Is Not Resolved, All of the Ruling Party Will Be Affected

President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon will hold a meeting on the 21st to discuss national issues. As Han is expected to demand a solution from President Yoon regarding the politically sensitive 'Kim Geon-hee risk,' a key issue in the political arena, the outcome of the meeting is likely to mark a turning point in the ruling party-government relationship.

President Yoon will meet Han at 4:30 p.m. at the Yongsan Presidential Office for an informal discussion. The meeting will be attended by President Yoon and Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok from the presidential office, and Han from the party.

According to both the presidential office and Han’s side, the discussion will cover a wide range of topics without restrictions, including legislative conflicts, livelihood, and the economy.

However, in political circles, the issue surrounding Kim Geon-hee, which has been cited as a major cause of the decline in support for President Yoon and the PPP, is expected to be the core agenda of this meeting. Previously, on the 17th, Han requested restraint in Kim’s public activities, a personnel reshuffle in the presidential office, and cooperation in investigating allegations.

Although the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations involving Kim Geon-hee were concluded with a non-prosecution decision by the prosecution, suspicions of state intervention triggered by former senior presidential secretary Kim Dae-nam and political broker Myung Tae-gyun continue.

With the opposition repeatedly proposing the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' and defections emerging within the PPP, Han may explain that without a progressive decision from the presidential office, the entire ruling camp could face a burden, urging President Yoon to make a bold decision.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the same day, Han said, "Mr. Myung Tae-gyun keeps throwing things one by one in a sort of salami tactic. So, it might be misunderstood that the conservative party is swayed by his words." He added, "The People Power Party will clearly state that it will not be swayed or deceived by such political brokers. We will make sure that supporting the PPP is not something to be ashamed of."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In political circles, there is speculation that Han may propose not only the three major demands related to Kim Geon-hee but also the prompt establishment of a second presidential office and the appointment of a special inspector. PPP lawmaker Kim Yong-tae said in an interview with SBS Radio that "If the presidential office only discusses, for example, the establishment of a second presidential office after today’s meeting, I think the public will naturally be disappointed. The special inspector system is also very important," adding, "I don’t think President Yoon would refuse."

If the conflict between President Yoon and Han is not resolved, it is expected to cause political damage to both. President Yoon, who must prevent the special prosecutor investigation into Kim Geon-hee, could face an impeachment crisis if he fails to stop defections within the PPP. At least four defections were recorded during the secret ballot vote on the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act at the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th.

For Han, this meeting could exacerbate conflicts between the pro-Han and pro-Yoon factions. The pro-Han faction points out that although the party has been pushing policy drives, the Kim Geon-hee issue is holding them back. A pro-Han faction member told Asia Economy, "The Democratic Party continues to push for unreasonable committee operations, the Kim Geon-hee and Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor bills, and prosecutor impeachments, but the ruling party’s approval ratings keep falling," adding, "Blindly protecting Kim Geon-hee is politics that only worked in the past."

On the other hand, the pro-Yoon faction accuses Han of causing party-government discord for his own political gain. Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum criticized on his Facebook the previous day, saying, "Han’s demand for a private meeting, especially through the media, can only be interpreted as a malicious attempt to use it as a means for his own politics or to differentiate himself from the president," adding, "A private meeting without a foundation of trust is not a private meeting but insubordination or a showdown."