People Power Party Targets Both Lee Hyehoon and Han Donghoon Simultaneously

Demand for Two-Day Confirmation Hearing for Lee Hyehoon
Supreme Council Appoints Seven Ethics Committee Members

The People Power Party is simultaneously highlighting issues related to Lee Hyehoon, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, and former leader Han Donghoon. This is a political move aimed at strengthening its offensive against the ruling party while solidifying the leadership of Representative Jang Donghyuk. The party’s demand for a two-day confirmation hearing for the nominee is closely tied to these political considerations.

On January 5, Assemblyman Jin Jongoh of the People Power Party held a press briefing at the National Assembly, raising suspicions regarding the decision to exclude Sohn Juha, a member of the Seoul Jung-gu District Council, from party activities. He argued that there was a problem with the judgment made by the nominee when she served as the head of the People Power Party’s Seoul Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu Eul district party committee. In addition, Lee Hyehoon is facing allegations of real estate speculation, having reportedly purchased land and commercial properties in the Seoul metropolitan area with her spouse and made profits exceeding 3 billion won. This comes on top of previous accusations of verbal abuse and power harassment toward her aides during her tenure as a National Assembly member.

Yonhap News Agency

Park Sooyoung, the People Power Party’s secretary on the National Assembly’s Strategy and Finance Committee, said on YTN Radio that “multiple reports have been submitted to the party’s tip-off center, and with so many allegations raised, a one-day hearing is simply not enough.” The Democratic Party of Korea, sensing strong presidential determination to appoint the nominee, has instructed its lawmakers to refrain from commenting on the related controversies.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party held a Supreme Council meeting on the same day and appointed seven members to the Ethics Committee. With the selection of the Ethics Committee chair expected to be finalized soon, disciplinary procedures regarding the controversy over the party members’ bulletin board involving former leader Han Donghoon are likely to accelerate. The chair will be chosen from among the seven Ethics Committee members themselves, after which Representative Jang will make the final appointment. Party spokesperson Cho Yongsul explained, “To ensure fairness, the chair will be elected by the members themselves,” adding, “The party leader was determined to form the Ethics Committee in a strict and impartial manner.”

Kim Doeup, the People Power Party’s policy chief, announced his resignation on the same day, stating, “I believe my role ends here,” just four months after joining Jang Donghyuk’s leadership team. Kim, who represents a district in Busan, is considered a potential candidate for mayor of Busan from the People Power Party.