Handonghun Hints at Return Two Months After Resignation... Impact Depends on 'Book' Content

Expected Return at the End of This Month with Book Publication
To Cover Political Change, the Future of Conservatism, and More

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon hinted at his intention to return to politics through the publication of a book he is writing. The book is expected to cover topics such as South Korea's vision and the role of politics, but it is widely interpreted as a signal of his next presidential bid. Depending on the content of the book, it could also spark controversy within the ruling party.

An insider from Han's faction (pro-Han Dong-hoon faction) told Asia Economy on the 17th, "It seems that (Han) has already finished the manuscript and handed it over to the publisher," adding, "Once the proofreading is complete, the publication date will likely be at the end of February." Earlier, Han posted on social media the day before, two months after stepping down from his leadership position, saying, "I am writing a book," and "Over the past two months, I have listened carefully to many people and taken time for reflection. I will see you soon."

The decision to return to politics through a book publication is widely seen in political circles as related to the increasing possibility of an early presidential election. With President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial reaching its final stages and Han having been absent from the frontline for two months, he needs to present a broad and clear vision as a potential presidential candidate to resonate among competitors within the ruling party. The insider explained, "A book is a much deeper way to express one's thoughts than an interview." It is expected that Han will also hold public events such as book launches or book concerts in line with the publication schedule.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference to resign from his position at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Han is reported to have focused on writing about his vision for political change, the future of Korean conservative politics, and his own determination. According to pro-Han faction members, since resigning as party leader on December 16 last year, Han has been laying low, meeting with political veterans and experts in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the demographic cliff, and other future growth engines and crises facing Korea, while reading related books to refine his political vision. In explaining his vision, the book may also include his views on conflicts with President Yoon that arose during political turning points such as his time as the emergency committee chairman and party leader of the People Power Party, last year's legislative issues, the 22nd general election, and the December 3 emergency martial law incident.

Since Han's book is expected to be published around the time of the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon, its content could cause ripples in the ruling party, which is currently united around opposition to the impeachment. At a press conference on December 16 last year when he resigned as party leader, Han sharply criticized, saying, "If we sympathize with extremists like election fraud conspiracy theorists and radical YouTubers, or if we are consumed by commercially produced fear, then conservatism has no future," and "No matter that the president comes from our party, it would betray the conservative spirit of this great country and its people, who achieved both industrialization and democratization, if we are misunderstood as supporting illegal martial law involving military mobilization."

Already, shots aimed at Han are being fired. Yoon Sang-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker who is leading opposition to President Yoon's impeachment, wrote on social media the day before, "The defeat in the 22nd general election under the emergency committee chairman Han led to the birth of the massive Democratic Party, and during his time as party leader, discord with President Yoon resulted in the unprecedented situation where the president was impeached by the National Assembly and became the first sitting president to be detained during his term," adding, "A clear period of responsibility and self-reflection is necessary."

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is giving a statement after the resolution to lift the martial law was passed in the National Assembly in the early morning of the 4th. President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law in an emergency statement on the night of the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min