[AK Radio] Shin Ji-ho: "Han Dong-hoon Only Practiced the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Spirit'"

Interview with Former People Power Party Vice Chairman Shin Ji-ho
"Han Dong-hoon's Unfavorable Image Will Melt Away Like Snow"
'Yoon Seok-yeol's Release' "Impeachment Verdict Likely to Be Somewhat Delayed"

Shin Ji-ho, former Vice Chairman of Strategy and Planning of the People Power Party (former National Assembly member), considered a key figure in the 'Chinhan Donghoon' group, appeared on the Asia Economy YouTube channel 'AK Radio' on the 6th. Shin said, "The unfavorable perception of former leader Han will melt away like snow," emphasizing Han's competitiveness in the centrist conservative territory war by stating, "Han is the best at this." When asked about the impact after President Yoon Seok-yeol's release, he replied, "The date for the impeachment trial verdict seems likely to be somewhat delayed."

How was former leader Han Dong-hoon's book launch event? Did the book sell well?

There were 200 seats, and attendees were selected by lottery from the applicants. I understand about 1,500 people applied. As of March 6, about 80,000 copies of the book have been sold. Former leader Han said, "I am truly a very fortunate person." He is grateful.

Various polls show that former leader Han has a higher unfavorable rating compared to other presidential candidates in the People Power Party.

After the declaration of martial law, former leader Han almost instinctively judged that this martial law must be stopped, believing that only then would space open for the conservative party to survive. The president initially mentioned shortening the term and stepping down for a second term, but then changed his mind, asking the party to handle it on December 7, and five days later on December 12, said he could not do so, firmly opposing it, which led to the failure of an orderly resignation.

Former leader Han said, 'He inevitably had to support the impeachment motion, knowing he would be ousted from the party leadership and would inevitably face tremendous hatred from party members.' He was deeply pained by this. When he stepped down from the leadership on December 16, he expressed regret to supporters who might have been hurt by the impeachment. Courage to be hated is also necessary.

Former People Power Party Vice President of Strategic Planning Shin Ji-ho is being interviewed by AK Radio on the 6th.

Is there a strategy to lower the unfavorable rating?

By resuming activities and expressing regret and sorrow to party members through books and interviews, it seems to be gradually improving like melting snow. This is also reflected consistently in poll numbers. From a certain point, there will be frank and sincere conversations with party members. Our party members are not that harsh.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo fiercely criticized Han Dong-hoon, saying "Han Dong-hoon is a puppet made by Yoon Seok-yeol."

Han Dong-hoon was inaugurated as the emergency committee chairman on December 28, 2023. Since time was tight, he first tried to greet key figures in our party by phone. He called Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, but he did not answer. So he identified himself as Han Dong-hoon and tried to greet him, but he still did not answer, so he sent a text message saying he would leave a message.

Did you get a reply?

Yes, he did reply.

What did he say?

It was a message saying, "I do not talk to people not saved in my phone." Even though Han Dong-hoon identified himself. At first, it might not be appropriate to answer, but usually we exchange pleasantries. However, Mayor Hong seems very honest about his feelings. Former leader Han's call itself was unwelcome. Mayor Hong often uses the term mercenary. He seems to say, "If I was defeated by mercenary 1 named Yoon Seok-yeol, I don't want to be defeated by mercenary 2 again." Mayor Hong says harsh things about former leader Han. This is not a new phenomenon.

What is former leader Han's reaction to Mayor Hong's criticism?

He just thinks, "Isn't he always like that?"

Former Deputy Prime Minister Shin emphasized regarding the 'traitor theory' that "Former Representative Han only practiced the 'Yoon Seok-yeol spirit'."

You said the unfavorable perception of former leader Han will melt away like snow, but isn't there too little time?

If there is an early presidential election, the schedule will be very tight. For former leader Han, it would be good to have enough time to clear misunderstandings and distrust, but that is not the case. For us, these are both good and bad conditions. Regarding the betrayal theory, President Yoon's rise from an unknown prosecutor to a nationally recognized figure was marked by one phrase: he does not show loyalty to people. That phrase imprinted the name Yoon Seok-yeol in the public's mind. That is the spirit of Yoon Seok-yeol. It means loyalty to the country, the people, the constitution, and the cause, which deeply moved me. Han Dong-hoon simply practiced that.

So he did not betray President Yoon but practiced the 'Yoon Seok-yeol spirit'?

Yes. After the declaration of martial law, former leader Han said, 'He felt that the person he knew was not the same.' Former leader Han never betrayed the Yoon Seok-yeol spirit of not being loyal to people. Of course, the opposition party's violent acts and the impeachment motion triggered martial law, but using martial law for the first time in 45 years as a countermeasure is something that should never happen in a democratic advanced country like South Korea. That judgment is clear. One should not be loyal to people but to the country and the people. If it were a private relationship, applying the betrayal theory to former leader Han might be somewhat understandable. But wasn't it a public-to-public relationship between the ruling party leader and the president?

Do you think party members' judgment of former leader Han will change?

Our party members and supporters are very strategic. The party is open to accepting an outsider like Yoon Seok-yeol. President Yoon was, in a way, the executioner who led the destruction of the Park Geun-hye administration. They accepted Yoon as the best tool to defeat Lee Jae-myung and achieve regime change after five years. Our party is such an open party. Former leader Han does not regret his choices and judgments and had no other option, but he expressed human regret for the pain caused to party members and supporters and will continue to make sincere efforts.

The Constitutional Court's impeachment trial verdict is expected soon.

Whatever the result, it must be accepted. Recently, on March 1, there were confrontations between pro- and anti-impeachment rallies. On March 1, 1919, people of all ages, regions, ideologies, and religions united to shout for Korean independence. However, this year's March 1 was completely divided into two. Recently, Pastor Ryu Young-mo wrote a column saying Korean society has become a dumbbell society, meaning it is severely polarized. Fortunately, yesterday, seven major religious denominations in Korea, including Protestantism, Buddhism, and Catholicism, issued a joint statement saying the Constitutional Court's impeachment verdict must be respected and accepted. In fact, politicians should have taken the lead, but since they have not, if the religious community and media take the lead, politics will follow.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Shin these days emphasizes 'Gudongjoni'. He says that internal solidarity is necessary to win even if an early presidential election takes place.

What do you think about the analysis that the People Power Party is becoming more right-wing or far-right?

The People Power Party should keep in mind that if the energy in the square also attracts centrist independents, that would be very good. Recently, a survey led by Professor Kang Won-taek of Seoul National University at the East Asia Institute divided conservatives into hard conservatives, moderate conservatives, and centrists. The energy in the square was that of hard conservatives. The People Power Party must become a party that embraces hard conservatives, moderate conservatives, and centrists. It is clear that having only one color is not enough. These days, whenever there is an opportunity, I emphasize 'Gudongjoni' (求同存異 - seeking common ground while acknowledging differences). Regarding martial law and impeachment, hard conservatives, moderate conservatives, and centrists all have different views. Some say martial law was justified, so impeachment is naturally invalid; some say martial law was wrong but impeachment is too harsh; others say martial law was wrong, so impeachment is regrettable but inevitable. If an early presidential election is confirmed, all the time will be spent sorting out these positions. Therefore, we must pursue the common goal of preventing the return of the Lee Jae-myung administration while acknowledging differences. We must create a framework for unity within the party. If this succeeds, a second-stage alliance with outside forces will naturally follow.

Recently, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, caused a stir by implying that the pro-impeachment faction colluded with the prosecution when his arrest motion was passed in the National Assembly. What do you think?

Lee Jae-myung's appeal trial for the Public Official Election Act verdict is scheduled for March 26, and it seems he expects a guilty verdict. If a verdict similar to the first trial comes on the 26th, the pro-impeachment faction is expected to shake him severely, so he is warning them in advance, saying, "You did that then, so don't act up this time."

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What do you think about Lee's statement that the Democratic Party is 'centrist conservative'?

If Han Dong-hoon had been the People Power Party leader, could Lee Jae-myung have attempted this? Probably not. Why? Han Dong-hoon himself is a centrist conservative, rational conservative, moderate conservative. Recently, I said, "Above the two Kwon (Kwon Young-se and Kwon Seong-dong), there are two Jeon (Jeon Han-gil and Jeon Gwang-hoon)." I think the center of the People Power Party has shifted rightward, leaving the centrist conservative area vacant, so Lee Jae-myung tried to seize this area. This is a centrist conservative territory war. In this war, former leader Han is the best.

President Yoon has been released. What do you think?

From the beginning of the investigation, I thought he should be investigated without detention. Since due process was violated, his release is natural.

What impact will this have on the impeachment trial?

The date for the impeachment trial verdict seems likely to be somewhat delayed.