Kim Sangwook of the 'Chantan Faction' in People Power Party Voices Support for Han Donghoon
"Pro-Han Faction Doesn't Favor Me Because They Need to Win Over Pro-Yoon Lawmakers"
"Young Conservative Lawmakers Are United Around Han Donghoon"
Kim Sang-wook, a 'Chantan faction' member within the People Power Party, said, "Although it is a one-sided love, I still support former leader Han Dong-hoon." In an interview on YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Face-off' on the 24th, Kim said, "I haven't spoken or contacted (former leader Han) recently. It seems that the 친한계 (pro-Han Dong-hoon faction) doesn't like me that much," expressing this view.
On December 14 last year, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, approached Kim Sang-wook, a member of the People Power Party who was holding a solo protest in front of the National Assembly main building urging support for impeachment, and untied the red scarf around his own neck to wrap it around Kim. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding the reason why the 친한계 keeps distance from him, Kim said, "It seems necessary to win over the hardline supporters, so-called 친윤계 (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction) lawmakers, to have an advantage in the People Power Party primary," adding, "The 친한계 probably thinks they shouldn't be too aggressive, so being with me might feel burdensome."
However, he described former leader Han as "someone who once gave me a scarf and whom I am very grateful to," and said, "Since the young conservative lawmakers of the People Power Party are largely united around former leader Han, I hope that Han gains strength to help the party adopt party policies in line with the party constitution, serve the people, and truly become a legitimate conservative party that upholds the constitutional order."
Earlier, after Kim was seen holding a one-person protest in front of the National Assembly supporting the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol following the December 3 emergency martial law, former leader Han gave Kim the red scarf he was wearing. Kim recalled, "(Former leader Han) had tears full in his eyes and said, 'I understand your heart,' while giving me the muffler he was wearing."
Even during the impeachment turmoil against President Yoon, Kim has voiced minority opinions within the People Power Party. In an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 12th, he said, "If, by any chance, the impeachment of President Yoon is dismissed, I will go on a hunger strike in the National Assembly until I die," emphasizing, "That is how resolute I am." Regarding this, Shin Dong-wook, the senior spokesperson of the People Power Party, said on Channel A Radio Show 'Political Signal,' "He expresses voices that are extremely different from the party's stance," but added, "I believe that politics is about embracing even some disagreements."
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