[Insight & Opinion] People Power Party Stirs Up 'Party Members’ Bulletin Board Comments' Controversy Amid National Crisis

Conflict Reignites Between Pro-Yoon and Pro-Han Factions Over 'Anti-Yoon Posts'
Promise of Government Reform Overshadowed by Internal Strife
Clear Explanation Needed Beyond Legal Issues

The ruling party's situation is becoming increasingly absurd due to a sudden controversy over ‘comments on the party members’ bulletin board.’ Oh Sang-jong, head of the Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps, claimed that defamatory posts against President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife were posted on the People Power Party’s members’ bulletin board under the names of Han Dong-hoon’s wife, daughter, mother, and parents-in-law, and reported the individual who posted such content. As a result, the police are currently investigating the report.

The problem is that this issue is reigniting conflicts between the pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions. Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member from the pro-Yoon faction, said, "Internal strife is occurring because the issue of the party members’ bulletin board is not being resolved. This is a problem that must be addressed, and it cannot simply be ignored until the end," demanding proactive resolution from Representative Han. Kang Myung-gu, a lawmaker and former Secretary for National Policy Planning at the Presidential Office, also pressured Representative Han, saying, "This is a matter where the leader just needs to demonstrate leadership to prevent internal discord," and added, "If you know the facts, just be transparent and it will be over." Meanwhile, Jang Ye-chan, former Youth Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, made a specific claim, stating, "The only person who could verify the identities of both families’ elders and their daughter is lawyer Jin Eun-jung (Han’s wife), who was logged in and posting under different names at the same time, logging out and posting continuously."

However, Representative Han and lawmakers from the pro-Han faction responded that party-level action would be futile while the police investigation is ongoing. Representative Han remained reserved, saying only, "I believe this is not a matter that should lead to unnecessary internal strife, so I will make a proper judgment and respond as the party leader." Without mentioning the involvement of his family, he gave a general response: "Since the party has already announced legal measures, if there is any illegality, it will be thoroughly investigated and the truth will come out." The pro-Yoon faction interprets Han’s failure to explicitly deny that his family posted on the bulletin board as an implicit admission that his family was involved.

Of course, if Representative Han’s side had operated a ‘comment team,’ it could escalate into a criminal issue with legal responsibility. However, there is no such indication yet. Considering the limited influence of the party members’ bulletin board, it seems unlikely that illegal actions were taken to manipulate public opinion there. Nevertheless, even if there is no legal issue, if the act was committed by family members, it is Han’s responsibility to clearly explain the facts. Politically, Han should take a more proactive stance in providing verified explanations on this matter and apologize if necessary.

On the other hand, it does not seem appropriate for some ruling party members to escalate the controversy by comparing this issue to the ‘Druking incident’ during the previous presidential election. The ruling party should not be embroiled in internal conflicts over a mere ‘party members’ bulletin board comments’ issue at this time. President Yoon held a press conference and spoke about reforming governance and personnel, and the public is watching the follow-up actions. The sentencing of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, to imprisonment in the first trial is also an issue the ruling party cannot overlook. Yet, the ruling party’s internal situation, where all these issues are overshadowed by the ‘party members’ bulletin board comments’ controversy, is utterly absurd. The public’s real concerns are being ignored while the party scratches only its own itch. The current confrontation between the pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions surpasses the rivalry between the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye factions during the former Grand National Party era. The public increasingly complains about the difficulty of making a living and expresses dissatisfaction with the government. The party must promptly resolve these internal issues and focus on politics that serve the people. It is time for the ruling forces to realize ‘what truly matters.’

Yu Chang-seon, Political Commentator