Handonghun Responds to People Power Party Audit Committee's Findings on the 'Party Board Incident'
"Criticize Me, Not My Family"
Handonghun, former leader of the People Power Party, commented on the so-called 'Party Members' Bulletin Board (Party Board)' controversy, saying, "I later found out that my family members posted critical editorials and columns about former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife on the party's anonymous bulletin board."
On December 30, during an appearance on SBS Radio's 'Ju Youngjin's News Direct,' Handonghun stated, "At the time the posts were written, I was not aware of it." He added, "However, I heard that today the Party Affairs Audit Committee announced as if there were posts written under my name, but I have never even registered on the party website, so that is clearly false information."
Earlier that day, the People Power Party's Party Affairs Audit Committee issued a press release stating, "The problematic accounts are under the names of five members of Handonghun's family, and 87.6% of all posts were written from just two internet protocol (IP) addresses, indicating evidence of opinion manipulation." The committee added, "Through digital pattern analysis, we confirmed that Handonghun bears at least managerial responsibility."
Handonghun claimed that Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, was aware of the details of this matter in advance. He said, "At the end of last year, when there were several attacks under what was called the 'Kim Okgyun Project' to remove me from the party leadership, I explained this (party bulletin board) situation to Representative Jang Donghyuk, whom I trusted at the time."
He continued, "At that time, Representative Jang appeared on several broadcasts and strongly explained that 'since the posts were written on an anonymous board and there was nothing wrong with them, there is nothing to be concerned about.' I was truly disappointed to see him bring this up again for political attacks after becoming the party leader."
When asked why he had not revealed the full story over the past year, he answered, "The bulletin board was permitted by the party for members to post anonymously. There should never be a precedent where the person who posted critical comments about the government or those in power is later identified and tracked down."
When asked if he intended to apologize to party members, he drew a line, saying, "Posting a column arguing that former President Yoon and Mrs. Kim Keonhee should be properly held accountable is not in itself a wrongdoing." He added, "If my family posting under their own names is something to be criticized, then criticize me, as it happened because I am a politician. My family does not deserve to be blamed."
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