'Close' Jeong Seong-guk: "When conservatives start seeking Han Dong-hoon, a decision might be made"

"When the Evaluation of Han Dong-hoon Comes Out Again, It Will Arrive"

Jeong Seong-guk, a member of the People Power Party (PPP) classified as a close ally of Han Dong-hoon, said regarding the early presidential election, "When the time comes for conservative supporters to call for former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, then former leader Han may be able to make a decision."

On the 31st, Jeong appeared on YTN Radio's 'News Fighting' and said, "While former leader Han's will is important, I think there should be a time when the people, especially many conservative supporters, call for him," adding, "That would be a much more natural and better appearance." He continued, "The first person to stop the declaration of martial law was former leader Han," and said, "There will definitely come a time when evaluations of former leader Han will be made again."

Jeong Seong-guk, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

He added, "The People Power Party also acknowledges that the martial law itself was wrong. There is no one in the PPP now who says the martial law was justified," and elaborated, "If the 18 PPP lawmakers who entered the plenary session with former leader Han when martial law was declared had not been there, we (PPP) would have inevitably become a party supporting martial law."

Regarding Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who has announced his intention to run for president and is seen as checking former leader Han, Jeong said, "(Former leader Han) has been almost two weeks since he resigned as leader and has hardly appeared," adding, "I don't think Mayor Hong needs to pull him out and evaluate him." He also said, "The most incomprehensible part of Mayor Hong's remarks is that he called former leader Han a traitor for supporting impeachment, while expressing regret over Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's support for impeachment but saying there must have been circumstances," and added, "I think the vast majority of the people will probably shake their heads at this."

Former People Power Party Representative Han Dong-hoon. Yonhap News Agency

Regarding the composition of the PPP emergency committee announced the day before, Jeong said, "There are clear signs of deep consideration. However, the disappointing part is that those we call close allies of Han, those who talked about reform and change with former leader Han, are not visible." He added, "It is not easy to expect significant change or reform by looking at the appointments."

He said, "The most burdensome part is that Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se and Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong are perceived by the public as pro-Yoon," and added, "There should be many people capable of leading change and reform working under them, but that part is disappointing."