Han Donghoon Says He Is Meeting Pro-Yoon Faction: "Real Politics Is Done With Opponents"

Han Donghoon Announces He Will Not Run for People Power Party Leadership Election
Stresses in Live Broadcast: "We Must Prevent the Party from Shifting to the Far-Right"
Party Convention Continues to Be Divided Between Pro-Impeachment and Anti-Impeachment Camps

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party who announced he would not run in the party's leadership election, emphasized the need to prevent the party from shifting to the far-right, stating, "The far-right movement within the People Power Party is becoming serious." During his YouTube live broadcast on the night of the 26th, Han said, "If established parties fail to gatekeep extremists, democracy collapses," and argued, "If the traditional party People Power Party becomes a far-right party, it is the suicide of the party, the suicide of conservatism, and the suicide of the Republic of Korea."

Hanjong Hoon, former leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon

In his announcement on the 24th that he would not run, Han also said, "I will firmly fight against forces trying to capture the party with far-right ideology," and warned, "If extremists, whether far-right or far-left, are incorporated into or take over established mainstream parties, the entire country will be put in danger." He added, "If anyone says we must unite with the far-right to prevent Lee Jaemyung's world, I want to say that choosing suicide to avoid assassination is not the answer," making clear he cannot form an alliance with the far-right.

However, in this broadcast, he also mentioned that he is meeting with members of the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) faction. He said, "I am having individual meals or tea meetings," and added, "Real politics is done with one's opponents." He continued, "Although the gap is not easily narrowed, at least it has been an opportunity to find and nurture common ground," and stated, "I intend to continue doing so in the future."

The People Power Party convention is now divided between those who support and those who oppose the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol. First, Jo Kyungtae, a lawmaker in the pro-impeachment camp, said at the National Assembly on the 26th, "If the faction supporting former President Yoon becomes the party leader and the mainstream, the large ruling bloc will immediately begin the process of dissolving the People Power Party," and earnestly requested the unification of reformist candidates. This is interpreted as a call for candidate unification targeting Ahn Cheolsoo.

On the other hand, Jang Donghyuk, a lawmaker in the opposition camp, is scheduled to appear on a debate broadcast hosted by conservative YouTubers, including Korean history lecturer Jeon Hangil, on the 31st. The broadcast will feature Jeon, along with Ko Sungguk, Sung Changkyung, and Kang Yongseok, who will question the party leadership candidates and broadcast live on their respective channels. It has also been reported that Kim Moonsu, former Minister of Employment and Labor, has received an invitation to appear on the same broadcast and is considering whether to participate.

Lawmaker Joo Jinwoo wrote on social networking services (SNS), "Even after the party convention ends, the factional fight will likely continue. If we are watching season 2 of the factional fight, the local elections will end in defeat." He added, "The very fact that a first-term lawmaker with no factional ties, Joo Jinwoo, becomes the leader would itself be a renewal."