Han Donghoon: "Illegal State of Emergency Was a Grave Wrongdoing... People Power Party Is Not an Unconstitutional Party"

In Gwangju, Han Calls for the People Power Party to Choose the Path to Prevent Its Dissolution

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 11th, "While an illegal state of emergency is a grave wrongdoing, the People Power Party is not an unconstitutional party because it was the party that prevented it."

On the afternoon of the 11th, Han Donghoon, former leader, gave a congratulatory speech at the inauguration ceremony of Kim Hwajin, chairman of the People Power Party Jeonnam Provincial Party, held at the Holiday Inn Gwangju Hotel in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the same day, at the inauguration ceremony of Kim Hwajin as chairman of the People Power Party Jeonnam Provincial Party held at the Holiday Inn Gwangju Hotel in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Han explained, "This is because, at the time of the illegal state of emergency, a significant number of People Power Party lawmakers and their aides were more proactive in stopping it than those of the Democratic Party." He went on to say, "Conservative politics in South Korea is gripped by fear," and emphasized, "We must return to the true spirit of conservatism and the spirit of the People Power Party in order to overcome this fear before it grows even larger."

He remarked, "The state of emergency was a difficult time for all of us," and added, "Since the Democratic Party was also at fault, there may have been those who made the wrong judgment, but I am not here to criticize or condemn those mistakes." He also said, "We must acknowledge our mistakes and correct them, and I believe that if we move forward together, it becomes the right path." He concluded by saying, "I sincerely support Chairman Kim Hwajin, the Jeonnam Provincial Party, and the people of Jeonnam."

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ahn Cheolsoo, a candidate in the People Power Party leadership election, Ahn Taeuk, Gwangju City Party chairman, Yang Hyangja, a candidate for the Supreme Council, and other key party officials. Han and candidate Ahn exchanged greetings with a handshake.