Jogabje: "A Scene to Prevent Martial Law... A 'Moment of Stars' for Han Dong-hoon"

"Meeting with Han Dong-hoon? I cannot confirm"

Conservative commentator Jo Gap-je, CEO of Jogapje.com, described former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon’s response during the December 3 emergency martial law crisis as a "moment of destiny," calling it a historic scene.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is leaving after announcing his intention to resign from the party leadership on December 16 last year at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the 4th, on CBS Radio’s "Park Jae-hong’s One-on-One," Jo said, "At the turning point from December 3 to 4, former leader Han was the most agile in sending the first message: 'This is a wrongful martial law. We will stop it together with the people. And gather at the National Assembly.'" He added, "His appeal to the military and police, saying 'Do not sympathize or collaborate,' was also quite historic. In a way, he fulfilled the mission bestowed by history."

He continued, "In the end, the martial law was thwarted, but it is very difficult for the ruling party leader to do that." He noted, "Only 18 ruling party lawmakers entered the plenary session to oppose the martial law, but if about 50 had entered, the power dynamics within the People Power Party would have changed."

He added, "Since an early presidential election is almost certain, I believe former leader Han must come forward and play a major role."

Regarding his meeting with former leader Han, Jo was reserved, saying, "I won’t say whether I met him or not." He explained, "However, when reporters called me and said, 'If it sounds like something from your side, then write it. I cannot confirm it. I have no plans to return my press card,' that’s what I told them."

He also described Lee Jun-seok, a lawmaker from the Reform New Party, as a politician with a narrative, saying, "I think it would be fitting if 50-year-old Han Dong-hoon and 40-year-old Lee Jun-seok come forward under the banner of generational change." He evaluated, "Lawmaker Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party has the achievement of winning both the presidential and local elections. Above all, his courage in leading the fight against the fraudulent election conspiracy theory is a historic merit."