Jang Donghyuk Says "Cannot Do Politics with Han Donghoon"
Kim Jaewon: "Worth Listening to Han’s Position"
"Jang Likely to Carefully Handle the Han Donghoon Issue"
As Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, declared that he "cannot do politics together" with former party leader Han Donghoon, Kim Jaewon, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, commented, "Former leader Han has said many things. If there is anything in particular that needs to be heard, we should listen." In an interview with YTN Radio's 'Kim Junwoo's News Frontline' on the 8th, Kim stated, "If there is something specific in former leader Han's position that we should take into consideration, I think we need to listen." He added, "I believe that leader Jang will carefully and thoroughly address the issue regarding former leader Han," but also noted, "I think there will be several challenges."
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency on the 7th, Jang said of Han, "How can I pursue unity or do politics with someone who called me 'the worst' during the party convention process?" He continued, "In a situation where supporters of former leader Han are indiscriminately criticizing, insulting, and ostracizing me, how can we take political steps together?" He emphasized, "I can never accept a form of unity that simply tries to sweep things under the rug while leaving the seeds of division unresolved."
Jang was once considered a key figure in the pro-Han Donghoon faction. He served as Secretary-General during Han Donghoon's tenure as Emergency Response Committee Chair and as Senior Supreme Council Member during Han's term as party leader. However, after the December 3 Martial Law last year, their relationship deteriorated rapidly as Jang maintained his opposition to the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol during the impeachment crisis. On August 23, ahead of the runoff vote for the People Power Party leadership election, former leader Han called for active participation in the runoff, urging members to "help the People Power Party avoid the worst," and publicly expressed his support for former Minister Kim Moonsu.
President Lee Jae-myung is talking with Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, at the ruling and opposition party leadership luncheon meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 8th. Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group
On the 8th, at the invitation of President Lee Jaemyung, Jang attended a luncheon meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office from 12:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., followed by a private one-on-one meeting for about 30 minutes until 1:50 p.m. According to Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, Jang stated, "President Lee is the right person to put an end to the long-standing cycle of politically motivated investigations," and is said to have voiced strong opposition to "excessive suppression of the opposition party and endless accusations of rebellion."
When the host remarked, "Leader Jang, who took a very strong stance at the party convention, suddenly met with President Lee. On the other hand, he says he cannot work with former leader Han. It seems like he is shifting between extremes," Kim Jaewon responded, "I don't think leader Jang has changed significantly; I believe he is sticking to his principles."
He further stated, "I believe leader Jang genuinely intends to lead the party in the direction demanded by party members during the convention. However, the speculation arises because he is giving it a bit of time. For a party like ours, which represents the conservative bloc, changing direction can be as difficult as turning an aircraft carrier," he emphasized.
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