Choi Changryul: "Han Donghoon's Separate Campaigning Unlikely to Greatly Help Kim Moonsu" [AK Radio]

"No Justification to Simply Remain After Yoon Sukyeol's Departure"
"Seems to Believe Reforming the People Power Party Is Difficult"

On May 19, appearing on Asia Economy's 'AK Radio,' Professor Changryul Choi, a special professor at Yongin University, predicted, "If the presidential election results are unfavorable, the People Power Party will be engulfed in a debate over responsibility." He also evaluated, "Former leader Han is showing a clear determination to maintain his own identity." Click the video for more details.

On May 20, former leader Han Donghoon announced that he would begin on-site campaigning, starting at Gwangalli in Busan.

He made it clear that he would not campaign together with candidate Kim Moonsu. This is because only one of the demands he made to candidate Kim was passively fulfilled: the resignation of former president Yoon Sukyeol from the party. Given this situation, former leader Han would have had no justification to simply remain. However,the frustrating part is candidate Kim. While it is a matter of conviction, and there is little to say about that, one wonders why he could not expel Yoon from the party. Personal relationships are important, but as a presidential candidate, he is a public figure. Politically, there is a significant difference between voluntarily leaving the party and being expelled by the party. When former president Yoon left the party, asking people to "support Kim Moonsu," Yoon and candidate Kim effectively became a package.

How much will former leader Han's on-site campaigning help candidate Kim?

It is unlikely to be of significant help. In order to be effective, he would need to campaign together and explicitly ask people to "vote for candidate Kim Moonsu," but it seems he will focus more on criticizing candidate Lee Jaemyung than on supporting candidate Kim.Former leader Han appears determined to firmly maintain his own identity. At present,it seems he believes that the People Power Party cannot continue as it is and that it would be difficult to reform the party.

Professor Changryul Choi of Yongin University is appearing on 'AK Radio' for an interview on May 19.

Representative Ahn Cheolsoo has urged former leader Han to "join the election committee as soon as possible."

Han Donghoon and Ahn Cheolsoo share the fact that they both opposed martial law and supported impeachment. However, former leader Han demonstrated his stance more clearly and decisively. Currently, Representative Ahn is actively participating in and supporting the election committee, while former leader Han is pursuing his own independent course. If one were to compare their respective positions, it seems each will have their own gains and losses. Former leader Han appears to believe that this approach is advantageous for establishing a new conservative identity and gathering new forces, whereas Representative Ahn believes that such a path would make it difficult to secure his position within the party. Representative Ahn also has his own rationale. There seems to be ample room for criticism of former leader Han within the party. Former leader Han seems to be conscious of the next party leadership race.

Depending on the presidential election results, conflicts may intensify.

If the People Power Party suffers an unfavorable result, candidate Kim Moonsu and former leader Han will likely clash fiercely. There is a high possibility that a debate over responsibility will arise.The "traitor" label that former leader Yoo Seungmin was unable to shake off will begin to be attached to former leader Han. Given that the conservative camp is currently trapped in the far-right, there are concerns about whether former leader Han will be able to withstand the situation.