Byungdo Han Meets Eonseok Song: "To Put New Wine in, We Must Boldly Eradicate Insurrection"

Byungdo Han, New Floor Leader, Pays Courtesy Visit to Eonseok Song of the People Power Party
Song Eonseok: "Public Fatigue Over Second Special Prosecutor... Calls for Unification Church and Nomination Bribery Investigations"

Byungdo Han, the newly appointed floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Eonseok Song, the floor leader of the People Power Party, on January 12 and emphasized the need to eradicate 'forces of insurrection.' He urged that the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill be handled at the plenary session scheduled for January 15.

Byungdo Han, the newly appointed floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (right), is seen talking with Eonseok Song, floor leader of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly on January 12, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

During his courtesy visit to Song at the National Assembly that day, Han stated, "To put new wine into new wineskins, we must boldly break with the wrongs of the past and clear out the old vessels. The task our society must address is precisely the issue of insurrection." Song had remarked the previous day, immediately after Han's election, "They say new wine should be put into new wineskins, but in other words, new wineskins require new wine."

Han reiterated, "Since Jang Donghyuk, the People Power Party's leader, has also apologized for the illegal imposition of martial law, I hope for your cooperation so that the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill can be processed at the plenary session scheduled for January 15."

Han further emphasized, "Even if there are political disputes, there should be no differences between the parties when it comes to issues affecting people's livelihoods. I hope both parties can always come together and prioritize resolving these matters according to this principle."

He added, "I will engage in open dialogue, compromise, and make efforts with floor leader Song. As the two parties operate within the Assembly, there will be times when agreements are made and times when conflicts arise, but in such moments, let us always come together and discuss."

Song repeatedly called on the Democratic Party of Korea to withdraw its push for the second comprehensive special prosecutor. He said, "Democratic Party of Korea leader Jeong Cheongrae stated at the beginning of the year that the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill should be passed quickly, even unilaterally if necessary. I hope we can avoid further public fatigue and shift our focus toward issues affecting people's livelihoods."

He again highlighted the need for the 'two special prosecutors and two parliamentary investigations' (special prosecutors on the Unification Church and nomination bribery; parliamentary investigations into the Muan accident and the appeal withdrawal) that he had previously proposed to the Democratic Party of Korea. He said, "A special prosecutor law on the Unification Church, a parliamentary investigation into the Daejang-dong appeal withdrawal and the protection of citizens' personal information are also necessary. I have repeatedly mentioned the need for a special prosecutor law regarding nomination bribery, which involves Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Kang Sunwoo and Kim Byungki, but there has been no response from the Democratic Party of Korea yet. I hope floor leader Han will take a more forward-looking stance on this issue."

During their closed-door meeting, the two floor leaders discussed the second comprehensive special prosecutor, special prosecutors on the Unification Church and Shincheonji, and a special prosecutor on nomination bribery, but failed to narrow their differences. After the meeting, Han told reporters, "We are still only stating our respective positions and have not reached a conclusion. Moving forward, Chun Junho, deputy floor leader for the Democratic Party of Korea, has suggested immediate negotiations with the opposition's deputy floor leader, so we will be in contact soon to begin discussions right away."