Yoon Heeseok: "Disciplining Over the 'Party Bulletin Board' Is Like Pressing the Nuclear Button" [Current Affairs Show]

Jang Donghyuk Faces Crisis If His Message Doesn't Change
'Bulletin Board Issue' Seen as Move to End Han Donghoon's Political Career
Significant Fallout Expected If Disciplinary Action Becomes Reality

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' (Monday to Friday, 4-5 p.m.)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Producer: Lee Kyungdo

■ Guest: Former People Power Party Spokesperson Yoon Heeseok (November 24)

Appearing on The Asia Business Daily's 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show,' former People Power Party spokesperson Yoon Heeseok assessed, "Jang Donghyuk's message clearly has limits in its appeal, and change is necessary." He further predicted, "If things continue as they are, issues regarding Representative Jang will emerge within the party around the end of the year or early next year." Regarding the 'party member bulletin board controversy' related to former representative Han Donghoon, he sharply criticized, "This is an attempt to end Han's political career," and added, "It was Representative Jang himself who took the lead in defending this issue more than anyone else last year." The following is a summary of the interview. The full content can be viewed in the video.

So Jongseop: How do you evaluate Representative Jang Donghyuk?

Yoon Heeseok: Change is needed. We cannot continue like this. Frankly, I am concerned not only about winning the local elections, but whether the leadership can even hold on until then.

So Jongseop: Why do you see it that way?

Yoon Heeseok: First, I feel that their perception of reality is very different from that of the general public. Jang Donghyuk's message is even stronger than during the party convention. His expressions and gestures are so intense that I was surprised. But how far can that appeal actually reach? It is too limited.

So Jongseop: Is there enough momentum to continue holding rallies outside the National Assembly?

Jang Donghyuk's Message Needs Change; Crisis Possible Before Local Elections

Yoon Heeseok: If the representative insists, it will go ahead. The party secretariat will naturally follow. However, I believe the scale of participation and the level of enthusiasm will fall short of expectations. Most importantly, after holding these rallies, there needs to be an evaluation of what was actually achieved. Or, as these rallies are held, we see various changes in public perception along the way. It's hard to say those are positive. With this level of message delivery and content, I don't think we can satisfy our sophisticated voters.

So Jongseop: In what way do you think change is needed?

Yoon Heeseok: At the very least, he must change his stance on the martial law declared on December 3 and communicate directly and effectively with the public. 'Martial law is enlightenment, and martial law is God's will.' This, as I understand, is Jang Donghyuk's view. Since God is invoked, it is also seen as connected to his religious beliefs. Everyone wonders whether he can really change this. With such a perception, how can the party claim to represent the will of the people? Unless Representative Jang sends a forward-looking message, it will be difficult for People Power Party support to rise under his leadership.

So Jongseop: If the current approval ratings are maintained, do you think there is a possibility that Jang Donghyuk's leadership will change before the local elections?

Yoon Heeseok: That is inevitable with elections approaching. For example, our party's metropolitan mayors and governors are seeking re-election or a third term. They will not just stand by, so a crisis for the leadership is bound to come. It's not a matter of someone forcibly removing them. For example, if Mayor Oh Sehoon, Mayor Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor Park Hyungjoon, or Governor Kim Taeheum keep hearing statements from the leadership that do not help their own campaigns, what will they do? If they feel their own elections are at risk, they will demand change from the party. If the leadership responds, 'What are you talking about? We will do things our way,' what will happen in the elections? It will be just like the 2018 local elections, when then-Representative Hong Joonpyo was refused campaign support by major candidates, suffered a crushing defeat, resigned, and left for the United States. Isn't this obvious?

So Jongseop: So there is a possibility of repeating the same mistakes.

Yoon Heeseok: Exactly.

So Jongseop: The current leadership, including Jang Donghyuk, said they would focus on consolidating their base this year and expand to the moderate camp next year. What do you think of this?

Yoon Heeseok: Is that possible? When moderate supporters who originally supported our party withdraw their support in this situation, is it realistic to expect them to come back? They will not return. Why can't they see this? The idea of securing the base first and then reaching out to moderates doesn't make sense. It's like thinking you can lose weight by drinking beer and eating fried chicken at night and exercising in the morning. It doesn't work. Does it?

So Jongseop: If things continue like this, do you think a watershed moment will come for the Jang Donghyuk leadership around February or March next year?

Yoon Heeseok: Even February or March is too late. I believe such messages will definitely emerge around the end of the year or early next year.

So Jongseop: What do you think will happen with the party member bulletin board issue?

The Bulletin Board Issue Is an Attempt to End Han Donghoon's Political Career

Yoon Heeseok: The bulletin board issue has been discussed since around last year's Chuseok holiday. The issue is this: 'Someone closely associated with former representative Han Donghoon posted or linked critical articles or comments about former President Yoon or First Lady Kim Keonhee. Is this in line with party ethics, especially coming from someone close to the representative?'

The fundamental question is whether People Power Party, at this moment, is a party that does not allow criticism of former President Yoon and his wife. Emotionally, it is very painful that former President Yoon, who was clearly elected from our party, could not complete his term and is in this situation. But was it wrong to criticize his actions at the time? That is the question we must ask. What we are demanding from Representative Jang Donghyuk is to change his stance on the December 3 martial law and to sever ties with former President Yoon. So what is he trying to discipline people for? The logic does not add up.

So Jongseop: Some say that the party audit committee chair has already started to take action, and that a new ethics committee chair will be appointed to deal with this issue immediately.

Yoon Heeseok: In conclusion, this is an attempt to end the political career of Han Donghoon as an individual. Most importantly, when this issue first arose last year, Jang Donghyuk, as the senior supreme council member, strongly argued on broadcasts and in the media about the unfairness of the issue. There are many videos of this. 'This is a political smear against former representative Han, and internal investigations found he was not involved, and the police also cleared him. It makes no sense. What authority does the party have to reveal the identity of someone who posted anonymously on the bulletin board?' He made all these arguments. That person is now the party leader. I am curious why Jang Donghyuk now is different from Jang Donghyuk last year. What is the reason for this change?

So Jongseop: What do you think will happen in the end?

Yoon Heeseok: Given the current atmosphere, it could happen. But if it does, what then? I think this would be like pushing the nuclear button. Pressing the nuclear button means knowing what will happen when the bomb goes off. So, they must be thinking about the consequences, and perhaps they believe Han Donghoon separating from People Power Party is what they want, so they are pressing the button.

So Jongseop: If that situation actually occurs, former representative Han Donghoon will have no choice but to consider various options?

If Disciplinary Action Happens, the Choice Is to Stay or Leave. The Fallout Will Be Significant

Yoon Heeseok: There are two choices: stay in the party or leave. That's it. I think the disciplinary action will be at the level of completely blocking him from running in the upcoming by-elections or similar events. In that case, party membership suspension can range from one month to three years. Even a one-year suspension would be enough. If it is three years, he cannot run in the next general election, but I don't know if it will go that far-probably about a year. If former representative Han is suspended for a year and cannot run under the People Power Party banner in June 2026, what will he do? I think they are trying to push him out, but he could also just stay and endure the fallout. That is up to him. However, I do not think he will decide to leave the party so easily. Because is the entire party really heading in that direction? I don't agree with that. I think it's only a part of the party.

So Jongseop: In any case, there will be significant fallout?

Yoon Heeseok: Yes. If the party tries to end the political career of someone who received over 40% support in the last presidential primary based on anonymous bulletin board posts, won't there be backlash from party members and moderates? That backlash could split the party in two and shake the very foundation of Jang Donghyuk's leadership. So, can they really go through with it? But given the current atmosphere, it could happen, though I think they might stop partway. Still, I have a feeling they will at least start the process, since so many people are demanding it.

So Jongseop: In the past, Representative Jang was aligned with Han Donghoon. Now their relationship seems to have crossed a point of no return. Why do you think this happened?

Yoon Heeseok: The answer must be found in Representative Jang Donghyuk's own choices. He was the one who defended Han Donghoon against every attack. That question should be directed to him, not me. I don't know.