Shin Ji-ho "Second Secretariat, Too Late to Be a Solution"
Park Jung-hoon "It's Difficult If It's Like Asking What Went Wrong"
Han Dong-hoon Cancels Morning Schedule, Plans Political Strategy
President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon held a meeting on the 21st that ended empty-handed, sparking dissatisfaction within the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction. President Yoon reportedly did not accept any of the three major demands related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee proposed by Han.
Han was scheduled to attend a pension reform discussion hosted by Rep. Park Soo-young at the National Assembly Members' Office Building at 10 a.m. that day but canceled the appointment. Although Han's attendance at the discussion was decided last week, he abruptly canceled on the day itself. A pro-Han faction member explained to Asia Economy that Han canceled the schedule to "free up time to plan for the future political situation."
There is an interpretation that the outcome of the meeting with President Yoon influenced Han's schedule that day. According to the ruling party, Han met with President Yoon at the Yongsan Presidential Office for 82 minutes the previous day and explained the three major demands: personnel reshuffle at the presidential office, suspension of First Lady Kim's activities, and cooperation in investigating allegations.
On the other hand, President Yoon reportedly rejected Han's proposed personnel reshuffle demand by saying, "No confirmed wrongdoing has been found; personnel appointments are the president's exclusive authority." Regarding the suspension of activities, he said, "(First Lady Kim) is already refraining from activities and preparing to establish a second secretariat." On cooperation in investigating allegations, he dismissed them as "baseless." Additionally, President Yoon reportedly declined the request to appoint a special inspector, linking it to the fact that he did not recommend a North Korean human rights ambassador. This atmosphere contrasts sharply with the presidential office's statement that the meeting was amicable.
Originally, Han was expected to return to the National Assembly the previous day to brief reporters on the meeting results, and some pro-Han faction members were waiting at the party leader's office, but Han went straight home. Park Jeong-ha, the secretary-general of the party leader's office, only relayed Han's message from the previous day and responded to questions about President Yoon's reaction by saying, "Please inquire with the presidential office." Politically, it is interpreted that Han could not hide his discomfort after failing to produce results in the meeting with President Yoon.
Even within the pro-Han faction, there is dissatisfaction as they see President Yoon effectively rejecting Han's conveyed opinions. Shin Ji-ho, a key pro-Han figure and People Power Party deputy head of strategic planning, appeared on CBS Radio that day and criticized President Yoon's statement that personnel appointments are an exclusive presidential authority, saying, "I do not understand it as an exclusive authority that forbids even expressing opinions," and added, "That kind of thing is only possible in absolute monarchies."
Shin further stated, "The establishment of the second secretariat was discussed a long time ago," adding, "They say it's because they can't find space, but setting up the second secretariat is already too late to be a solution."
Rep. Park Jeong-hoon of the People Power Party also criticized in an interview with MBC that the president's response of "no confirmed wrongdoing" was problematic, saying, "Those who communicate with First Lady Kim and those who have communicated with her show her influence elsewhere, which distorts the framework of state governance. It is awkward when Yongsan counters by saying, 'What actual problem has occurred?'"
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