Han Donghoon: "If Kwon Youngse's Candidate Switch Had Succeeded, People Power Party Would Have Truly Become a Party of Insurrection"

Han Donghoon and Kwon Youngse Continue Heated Exchanges
Clash Over Presidential Candidate Replacement Turmoil

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon on July 14 targeted former emergency committee chair Kwon Youngse, who has been identified as a target for personnel reform within the party, stating, "If Kwon Youngse's plan had succeeded and Han Ducksoo, who would have been investigated as a suspect of insurrection, had been forcibly made the People Power Party's presidential candidate, the party would have truly become a party of insurrection."

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon is appealing for support for presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo during a focused campaign rally held on May 26 at Banghak Intersection in Dobong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, Han wrote on his social networking service (SNS) Facebook, "Our party's Kwon Youngse has been making a series of abrupt and harsh remarks," adding, "No matter how much a politician has the right to defend himself, there are aspects that seem excessive to the public and party members, so after much deliberation, I decided to say something."

Han further stated, "Kwon not only led the forced replacement of the People Power Party candidate with an independent candidate in the early morning, but also took incomprehensible actions such as asking former Democratic Party figures like Chung Daecheol to support Han Ducksoo's candidacy," emphasizing, "He must explain why he pushed such an unreasonable and reckless plan to install Han Ducksoo."

Han particularly revealed, "On the morning the martial law was lifted, Kwon directly protested to me, saying, 'Han Donghoon's immediate opposition to martial law was rash. The president might have had a profound intention.'"

He continued, "(Kwon) made similar remarks to the media and, even long after, told the press, 'Even if I could go back, I would not have participated in lifting martial law.' I want to ask if he still thinks the same way."

Han added, "If he still thinks that way, such misguided thinking from a senior lawmaker is precisely an obstacle to the People Power Party's reform, rebuilding, unity, and above all, regaining the trust of the people."

Earlier that day, Kwon stated in a KBS radio interview on 'Jeongyeok Sisa' regarding the previous attempt to replace the presidential candidate led by himself and former floor leader Kwon Seongdong, "I cannot agree with the claim that it was an act that harmed the party."

Kwon pointed out, "Han was the runner-up in the primary, but did not contribute much to the election and, in some ways, even hindered it," adding, "Despite knowing very well the leadership's efforts to win at all costs, he made unreasonable criticisms."