Campaign Disbandment Ceremony at Daehwa Building Draws Hundreds of Supporters
Han: "Politics for the Public Good, I Will Continue Moving Forward"
Encouraging Responsible Party Membership... Plans for a Direct Communication Platform
Han Donghoon on Party Leadership and Kim Moonsoo Conflict: "I Am Sorry"
On Lee Jaemyung's Trial Postponement: "A Wrong Decision"
Yang Hyangja: "This Is Not a Disbandment, But a New Resolution"
Kim Sungwon: "I Will Stay with Han Until He Becomes President"
Although former leader Han Donghoon was eliminated in the final presidential primary of the People Power Party, the campaign disbandment ceremony held on May 7 drew not only pro-Han (pro-Han Donghoon) figures but also hundreds of supporters, making it reminiscent of a launch event for a future presidential bid. Han reaffirmed his determination to continue his challenge by recalling his words to supporters when he stepped down as party leader on December 16 last year: "Everyone, do not try to protect me. I will protect you."
That afternoon, Han held the campaign disbandment ceremony at the Daehwa Building, where his People Power Party primary campaign office had been located. The event was attended by pro-Han lawmakers, including co-election committee chairs Cho Kyungtae, Choi Jaehyung, and Yang Hyangja, as well as Song Seokjun, Kim Sungwon, Park Jungha, Bae Hyunjin, Ko Dongjin, Park Junghoon, Woo Jaejun, Ahn Sanghoon, Jung Sungguk, Jin Jongoh, and Kim Hyungdong. In front of the Daehwa Building, hundreds of Han's supporters chanted "Han Donghoon" even before his arrival. Inside the campaign office, about 200 supporters were also present.
When Han entered the office, supporters chanted his name and continued to respond enthusiastically until he finished his remarks. As Han introduced each co-election committee chair and young staff member, supporters also called out their names.
Taking the podium, Han first said, "I truly want to do good politics. With that mindset, I keep challenging, being trampled, and challenging again. The driving force that allows me to do this is the power of my fellow citizens," and added, "I am not doing politics for personal ambition, but for the public good. Thanks to you, I can continue, and I will keep going," expressing his gratitude to supporters.
Han then addressed the ongoing conflict between candidate Kim Moonsoo and the party leadership over the unification of Han Ducksoo, former Prime Minister, saying, "I believe you are deeply concerned and truly troubled by what our People Power Party is going through," and bowed his head, saying, "I am sorry."
He continued, "But history progresses when people of spirit, common sense, and reason come together at times like this. As we are hitting rock bottom now, we can rise again. There is no further to fall," and asked supporters to join as responsible party members, saying, "So what should we do now?"
He especially emphasized, "So many people have shown courage and dedication for Korea to come this far. You are likely among them," and added, "Since yesterday, I have been continuously pointing out the runaway actions of Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party. People tell me I can take a break, but I have no intention of doing so. More conservative politicians need to take the lead," vowing to fight at the forefront.
Although Han did not serve as a co-election committee chair for the People Power Party in this presidential election, when asked about his future political plans, he said, "I will do my best for the party's victory. I will serve in a plain white uniform," adding, "I will do my utmost in everything I can. Doing my best in the campaign to double the number of responsible party members is also part of this." Han also introduced his plan to create a political platform for direct communication in the future.
After receiving the microphone from Han, lawmaker Cho Kyungtae said, "I believe the People Power Party, often called a party of rebellion, still has not come to its senses. Politicians bear great responsibility. Among them, the impeached former President Yoon Sukyeol bears the greatest responsibility. However, I also believe the party members who followed the impeached former President Yoon are also greatly responsible," adding, "If Han had become the presidential candidate, such conflicts would not have occurred."
To Han's supporters, he said, "You are truly a rational and centrist force for justice. Only you have the right to criticize the runaway actions of the opposition and Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate."
Former lawmaker Choi Jaehyung stated, "Since December 3 last year, our Republic of Korea has fallen into unprecedented chaos. Amid darkness where we could not see even an inch ahead, we walked the right and dignified path," expressing gratitude to Han for leading the way and to party members and supporters for their encouragement even in harsh reality.
He continued, "Let us unite our strength to resolve our party's confusion and help it be reborn and renewed as a party that represents the conservative force, with Han continuing to lead at the forefront," urging continued support. He added, "We must speak out so our party can take the right path. We must use all our remaining strength to prevent our country from falling into the hands of a dangerous leader who could lead us to totalitarianism."
Former lawmaker Yang Hyangja also said, "I believe this is not a disbandment ceremony but a new resolution. Some elections are 'backward-moving' and end when you lose, but some are 'forward-moving' even in defeat. We are moving forward together," emphasizing unity. She also promised supporters, "Because of you, each person plays the role of a million. With this concentrated strength, I believe I will not be alone as I go forward with candidate Han Donghoon."
Kim Sungwon, who served as the campaign's chief political strategy officer, said, "I had lunch with Han at a restaurant called 'President'," and added, "I will stay with him until he becomes 'President Han Donghoon.'"
After his remarks at the disbandment ceremony, when reporters mentioned that the Seoul High Court had postponed the appellate trial date after remanding the election law violation case against candidate Lee, Han said, "If politicians can mobilize politics and the public for their own survival, that is not democracy. Today's (court) decision to postpone the trial date was wrong. If an ordinary citizen has a personal matter, does the court postpone the date? Of course not. It was a wrong decision," he criticized.
Regarding the Democratic Party's push to pass an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that would allow the postponement of the incumbent president's trial, Han said, "If candidate Lee becomes president, he will not exercise his right to request reconsideration (veto) and will let it pass. This is an insult to the people," adding, "The Republic of Korea is not to be underestimated. The spirit of the Constitution is alive. Our 70 years of achievements did not come by chance. Even if such a law is made, it is unconstitutional."
He continued, "How can a law be passed 20 days before the presidential election just to make a specific criminal the president and to help the party's candidate win? This is an insult and an affront to the people. We will stop it. We trust you, we trust the Constitution, and we trust the achievements and history of Korea. We will definitely stop it," he declared.
After the ceremony, Han took photos with supporters one by one and, upon leaving the Daehwa Building, waved to those who had waited until the end of the event.
Handong Hoon, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is attending the 5th party convention to select the 21st presidential election candidate held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on May 3, 2025. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon
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