Song Eonseok: "'Far-right Frame' over Jeon Hangil Admission"... Han Donghoon: "It's Not a 'Frame,' It's Far-right"

Song Eonseok: "The 'extreme framing' must stop immediately"
Han Donghoon: "Silencing party members' voices is 'forced silence'"

Former leader Han Donghoon directly refuted Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, who had urged an end to the "far-right framing" over the admission of Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history lecturer, stating, "This is not a 'far-right frame'?it is actually far-right." On the 21st, Han Donghoon wrote on social media, "Defending illegal martial law (Yoon Again) and inciting conspiracy theories about election fraud are acts that deny liberal democracy and the rule of law. This is not a far-right 'frame'?it is genuinely far-right." This statement was a criticism of Song Eonseok's earlier remarks.

Handong Hoon, a candidate in the People Power Party primary, is presenting his vision at the People Power Party's "21st Presidential Candidate 1st Primary Vision Conference" held at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on April 18, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Earlier that day, Song Eonseok posted on social media, "If any actions harmful to the party or remarks that deviate from public sentiment are confirmed, we will respond calmly but firmly in accordance with the party constitution and rules." However, he also said, "Using the admission of a single individual as a pretext to impose a 'far-right frame' or to use extreme expressions is itself a serious disparagement of the party and its members, and it constitutes a violation." Song Eonseok further stated, "Attempts to impose extreme frames on fellow lawmakers or to make exaggerated criticisms of the party must also cease immediately," adding, "The People Power Party will handle matters in accordance with constitutional principles and the party's constitution and regulations, following democratic procedures." In response to Song's criticism, Han Donghoon countered, "Lecturer Jeon Hangil is defending illegal martial law and actively inciting conspiracy theories about election fraud."

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He continued, "It is only natural that voices expressing concern about the People Power Party, a traditional conservative party, becoming a far-right party are being raised, given that such a far-right figure has joined the party, that events inviting this far-right figure as a speaker are being held one after another by party lawmakers, and that party leadership candidates and senior lawmakers who echo such far-right rhetoric are emerging in succession." He also argued, "Chairman Song Eonseok is essentially silencing the urgent concerns for the party and conservatism by labeling them as 'imposing a far-right frame' or 'using extreme expressions,' which he claims are serious disparagements of the party and its members and violations."

Meanwhile, former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon is expected to announce whether he will run for party leader around July 25, the day the candidate registration notice for the party convention is released. Song Younghoon, a former party spokesperson and a close ally of Han, said on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's One-Pan Show" that night, "We will have to wait a few more days to see whether Han Donghoon himself will participate in this party convention, or whether the spirit of Han Donghoon will block the party's shift to the far-right and lead renewal and change. The decision is imminent. It will be announced soon." Regarding the timing, he said, "The candidate registration notice for the party leader will be released this Friday," indicating that it is highly likely Han will announce the result of his deliberations in line with the July 25 notice date.

Yoon Heeseok, another former spokesperson and Han's ally, said, "Until now, there have been far more people telling Han not to run in the party convention, but the situation is changing," adding, "Recently, there has been the controversy over Jeon Hangil, and lawmaker Jang Donghyuk has announced his candidacy with far-right remarks, as did candidate Kim Moonsoo. As a result, there has been a surge in calls for Han to run, on the grounds that he cannot just stand by while the party is in such difficulty." The People Power Party will begin the candidate registration notice on July 25 and proceed with the candidate registration process over two days, July 30 and 31.