Jeon Hangil "I Have Never Defended Han Donghoon"

"Defending Han Dong-hoon Is Fake News...
I Have No Personal Acquaintance With Him"

There are varying interpretations of Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil's statement that "everyone makes mistakes," but Jeon clarified that he was not defending former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon.

At the book launch event for lawyer Shin Pyeong held at Seoul Myeongdong YWCA, Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil is giving a congratulatory speech. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 4th, Jeon posted on his YouTube channel community, "It seems that misunderstandings and fake news such as 'Jeon Han-gil is defending Han Dong-hoon and they had a conversation' are spreading," adding, "I do not know former leader Han's contact information, have never spoken with him, and have no acquaintance with him."

Previously, Jeon said on Channel A radio show 'Political Signal' regarding former leader Han, "Everyone makes mistakes." He stated, "The public believes that one of the reasons President Yoon Seok-yeol ended up in detention was because the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction, including former leader Han, supported it. This is a fact," but added, "What is important is to reflect, admit mistakes, and ask for forgiveness."

Jeon also said, "For the conservative forces to maintain long-term governance or seize power, they must unite as one," and "Just as children born from the same mother have different grades, various voices can be expressed within conservatism, right?" He added, "Regarding this, I am somewhat grateful to former leader Han," explaining, "Because I felt that he did not support Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, and is returning."

Regarding this, Jeon explained, "In response to the anchor's question, the only meaning was that from a conservative standpoint, it was somewhat fortunate that former leader Han reflected on his mistakes, apologized, and did not side with Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party."

Furthermore, he said, "Jeon Han-gil has already expressed in the strongest terms several times about people like former leader Han, who mention an early presidential election within the People Power Party, saying 'A child preparing ancestral rites while the parents are still alive is a traitor,'" adding, "This is Jeon Han-gil's stance on the traitor former leader Han."