Revisiting Jeong Ho-seung's Poem 'Storm' from When He Was Party Leader Candidate
Seemingly Targeting Public Anger at President Yoon and First Lady Kim
Stepping Up with Responsibility as Ruling Party Leader
Han: "Everyone Knows the Problem but Doesn't Solve It"
"If There Had Been a Special Inspector, This Problem Might Not Have Occurred"
Urging Democratic Party to Take a Stance on 'North Korea, Russian Troop Deployment'
"Waiting for the storm to pass is not right, and watching the storm with fear is even less right."
On the morning of the 30th, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, referenced the poem "Storm" by poet Jeong Ho-seung during a press conference marking his 100 days in office at the National Assembly. He expressed his determination regarding current political issues, including the personnel reshuffle at the Presidential Office related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee and the push for appointing a special inspector.
Earlier, on July 12, when Han was a candidate for party leader, he mentioned this poem at the Daegu-Gyeongbuk joint rally held at Daegu EXCO, saying, "If you go out now, it's just right to die. (The People Power Party) will collapse further, so come out when they look for you after it collapses more." After quoting the poem, he declared his ambition, saying, "When the storm comes, I will stand at the forefront with you, holding an umbrella, becoming a shield and a mountain for you."
Han’s mention of "Storm" on this day, following his new slogan "'Ganggangyakyak' (strongly demanding reform from vested interests and implementing policies for the socially weak) conservatism," is interpreted as both an umbrella to overcome the judgment against the storm-like Yoon Seok-yeol government and a steady check on the Presidential Office to regain public sentiment.
Han emphasized, "Everyone knows what the problem is and how to solve it. However, no one has readily stepped forward to solve the problem. I have stepped forward with the responsibility as the ruling party leader to solve the problem, not to leave it unattended. We will unite and come together to solve the problem."
Han diagnosed that securing the so-called Jung-Su-Cheong (moderates, metropolitan area, youth) voter sentiment is essential for the People Power Party to have a future, in order to prevent the simultaneous decline of approval ratings for President Yoon and the party and to create momentum for regime re-creation during the remaining 2 years and 6 months of Yoon’s term.
In particular, as the top priority to be resolved by November before the winter cold arrives, Han urged the launch of a ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body to respond to the surge in medical demand and called for reform of the Yoon Seok-yeol government. Han warned President Yoon repeatedly, saying, "If the (medical-government) conflict is not resolved in time, it will be a real 'catastrophe.' Only by changing our mindset, transforming, and reforming can we prevent the opposition’s attempt to destroy the constitution."
Han stated, "I will conduct politics that restore the pride and self-esteem of conservatism, politics that are not shameful. With patriotism and a spirit of challenge, I will lead the People Power Party’s continuous change and reform." He stressed, "I believe that the change and reform that started in our party will be a signal flare to reform the entire political arena, which is old, corrupt, and shunned by the people."
Han also demanded from the Democratic Party of Korea a clear stance from leader Lee Jae-myung on the launch of the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body, an official position on North Korea’s deployment of troops to Ukraine, and a halt to violent political behavior aimed at shielding Lee from criminal charges. Addressing Lee ahead of the ruling-opposition leaders’ meeting, Han warned, "No individual can be above the system, nor should they be. Overturning the judicial system undermines the foundation of the country. The People Power Party will stop it together with the people. I will take the lead."
Below is the Q&A.
- What is your plan for appointing the special inspector?
▲ There are concerns and worries about issues related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee, and it is clear that this is a major part. It is not a situation where I have to say it for people to know. If our People Power Party hesitates even on this (special inspector), people will think, 'Do they really understand public sentiment?' During the five years of the Moon Jae-in administration, it was postponed with excuses, and it has not been done for 2 years and 6 months under the Yoon Seok-yeol government. We will voluntarily push for the special inspector.
- There are criticisms that the special inspector system is ineffective.
▲ If there had been a special inspector, many of the current problems might not have occurred. I think there were points where unnecessary misunderstandings or worries could have been avoided just by being a bit more cautious if we look back at various issues. I believe we need to show that we will prevent such things from happening in the future.
- If the special inspector appointment is not enforced within the party, do you intend to propose a special investigation law related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee on your own?
▲ The special inspector must be enforced, and it will be. How can we gain public sentiment if we don’t do that? The special inspector mainly concerns the future and means being more cautious going forward. Are you saying we won’t be cautious? It will be enforced.
- You have made promises regarding the Chae Sang-byeong special investigation law.
▲ I have spoken several times about the part related to the Chae Sang-byeong special investigation law. My position has not changed.
- There are criticisms that the method of gathering opinions within the party is rough.
▲ Usually, such criticisms about procedures come from dissatisfaction with the content. I will listen carefully to the intent you mentioned. I have only been in office for a month, and I think it would be good to improve those parts a bit more. So, I am learning by listening to senior lawmakers morning, noon, and night. However, sometimes to solve a problem or make progress, you have to cross a stone bridge by skipping some steps. Without such courage, problems cannot be solved. I came here with the thoughts of party members and the public who think this cannot continue as it is. Then I must follow that sentiment.
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