Handonghun, Unable to Find Breakthrough in Meeting with Yoon... What Is the Next Move?

Likely to Emphasize 'People's Will' by Highlighting By-election Victories
Differentiation Expected Through 100-Day Inauguration Press Conference
Meeting with Representative Lee Jae-myung Could Also Be a Strategic Move

Following the failure to achieve results in the 'meeting' with President Yoon Suk-yeol, the follow-up response of Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, is drawing attention. As a subsequent schedule, Leader Han plans to visit areas such as Ganghwa in Incheon and Geumjeong District in Busan, where the party successfully defended seats in the by-elections despite adverse issues including suspicions related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. It is expected that he will attempt to differentiate himself from President Yoon by suppressing opposition from the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction, leveraging the public opinion from the by-elections that sympathized with his reformist stance. There is also analysis that negotiations with the opposition, including a leaders' meeting with Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, could become Han's 'winning move.'

On the 22nd, officials from Leader Han's side evaluated the results of the meeting between President Yoon and Leader Han the previous day by saying, "Han's sincerity did not get through." Leader Han met with President Yoon for 81 minutes the day before and proposed personnel reforms in the presidential office related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, suspension of her external activities, and clarification of suspicions. He also emphasized the need for the prompt appointment of a special inspector and the early launch of a consultative body involving the ruling and opposition parties, the National Assembly, and the government. Regarding personnel reforms, Leader Han reportedly actively tried to persuade by mentioning specific names. However, the disappointment was so great that Han did not even hold the expected briefing and left work early.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is meeting with Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, on the 21st at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, and they are moving to a place for a casual conversation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Shin Ji-ho, the deputy head of strategic planning for the People Power Party, said on CBS radio regarding the fact that the meeting ended virtually 'empty-handed,' "We have to do something, but honestly, it's frustrating," and added, "We need to put our heads together and think about how to adjust the pace going forward." Although the meeting was a difficult-to-arrange occasion aimed at finding solutions, it instead confirmed differences in positions and caused discord, increasing the ruling party's concerns. Han's side secretly hoped to achieve at least the appointment of the legally mandated 'special inspector,' but they were baffled as even this was not resolved. Although expectations for the meeting were low, the outcome was worse than expected. There is speculation that the atmosphere, which had been focused on fully blocking a special investigation related to First Lady Kim as a party stance, might change. Deputy Head Shin said, "Nothing was resolved yesterday even on the special inspector issue, not the special prosecutor," and added, "(Regarding the opposition's special prosecutor response) we will have to judge by observing how the situation unfolds."

Going forward, Leader Han is expected to seek a political breakthrough by following public sentiment while avoiding the conservative camp's typical 'traitor' frame. Starting today, Leader Han will visit Ganghwa County in Incheon and Geumjeong District in Busan, where victories were achieved in the October 16 by-elections, to express gratitude. Leader Han ran in these by-elections promising change and reform within the party and government. However, having his reform efforts rejected, he now faces the position of needing to explain this to supporters in some way.

In this regard, Leader Han is likely to pressure not only President Yoon but also opposing forces within the party by emphasizing the 'justification' of the by-election public opinion, which promised change and reform. Additionally, Han's decision to hold a second leaders' meeting with Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, could become a turning point in the political situation. Regarding the special prosecutor bills proposed by the opposition, such as the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, Leader Han may play a final gatekeeping role. However, since opinions are divided even within the pro-Han faction concerning the special prosecutor bills, it is likely that he will monitor public opinion trends.

In political circles, it is predicted that Leader Han will take a clearer stance through a press conference marking his 100th day in office, expected at the end of this month.