[On Site] Han Dong-hoon Resigns as Party Leader, Tells Supporters "I Will Not Give Up"

"Don't protect me. I will protect you"
To Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong: "Please take good care of it"

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon said, "I will not give up," to his supporters as he left the National Assembly after announcing his resignation on the 16th. Han calmed and reassured his supporters who were saddened and angered by his resignation, then left the National Assembly after saying this.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is greeting supporters after concluding a press conference regarding his resignation as party leader at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Han stated, "I will step down as the leader of the People Power Party," adding, "With the resignation of the Supreme Council members, the Supreme Council has collapsed, making it impossible to perform my duties as party leader normally." Afterwards, he expressed that he does not regret the emergency measures and emphasized the judicial risks faced by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, before getting into a vehicle in front of the main National Assembly building.

As Han moved to board the vehicle, he was accompanied by Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader, as well as lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun, Park Jeong-ha, and Han Ji-a. After stopping in front of the vehicle, Han patted Acting Leader Kwon on the shoulder and said, "Please take good care of things." Then, looking at the cameras, he bowed 90 degrees and said, "Please lead the party well. Please lead the Republic of Korea well. Thank you," before getting into the car.

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is shaking hands with Kwon Seongdong, floor leader, as he leaves the National Assembly after announcing his intention to resign from the party leadership on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Not long after Han's vehicle departed, it was surrounded by supporters. The supporters showed tears and expressed feelings of injustice and anger over Han's resignation. In response, Han opened the car door and said, "Please do not try to protect me," adding, "I will protect you." He also handed a paper containing the prepared press statement to a YouTuber that day.

Han's statement, "I will not give up," came next. When the supporters did not leave, Han opened the door once more and came out, saying, "Thank you for coming out on this cold day." The vehicle carrying Han then left the National Assembly.

Park Jeong-ha, Seo Beom-su, and Han Ji-a, members of the People Power Party, are calming down supporters of Representative Han Dong-hoon, who are angry and calling him a "traitor" following his resignation on the 16th. Photo by Choi Young-chan

After Han left, some supporters appeared angry at pro-Han faction lawmakers, shouting, "Traitor Park Jeong-ha," and "Where is traitor Jang Dong-hyeok?" In response, lawmakers Park Jeong-ha, Han Ji-a, and Seo Beom-su calmed the supporters by saying, "That's not the case."