Top 1 and 2 in the Ruling Party Engage in Tension Over Special Inspection Team... At a Crossroads Between Reconciliation and Conflict

On the 30th, Korea's 100-Day Inauguration Press Conference Marks a Turning Point
General Election White Paper Released... Could Become a New Battlefield for Pro-Korea and Pro-Yoon Factions

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, and Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader, along with the pro-Yoon faction, have been engaged in a week-long power struggle over the appointment procedure of the Special Inspector General. This week is expected to be a turning point that will determine whether the internal atmosphere of the People Power Party moves toward reconciliation or division.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 28th, Leader Han and Floor Leader Choo urged the Democratic Party of Korea to clarify its stance on the financial investment income tax and North Korea's participation in the Ukraine war, but did not mention the Special Inspector General. The party meeting to decide on the recommendation procedure for the Special Inspector General is expected to take place around the second week of next month. Some speculate that Leader Han may soon meet separately with Floor Leader Choo to ease tensions.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, and Chukyung-ho, the floor leader, are attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, as the conflict has spread between the pro-Han and pro-Yoon factions, the prevailing view is that reconciliation will not be easy. Earlier, Leader Han officially announced the push for the appointment of the Special Inspector General at the expanded party officials meeting on the 23rd, and Floor Leader Choo, immediately after the meeting, told reporters that it was a 'floor issue,' opposing Leader Han, who is an external figure. The fact that Leader Han and Floor Leader Choo emphasized 'Change and Innovation' and 'Unity and Integration,' respectively, in the guestbook at the 45th anniversary memorial service for former President Park Chung-hee held at the National Seoul National Cemetery on the 26th is also seen as reflecting the discord within the ruling party. If Leader Han intensifies his stance on the appointment of the Special Inspector General at the 100-day press conference scheduled for the 30th, it is expected that internal party conflicts will worsen.

The election white paper, released today 202 days after the April 10 general election, is also expected to become a new battleground. The pro-Yoon faction may point to Leader Han's strategy, while the pro-Han faction may blame government failures for the election defeat. Jo Jung-hoon, chairman of the election white paper task force (TF), said, "I believe that the experience from the election provides very significant implications for how we, as the ruling party, should manage party-government relations during the remaining period."