PPP Expels Han Donghoon Hours After 'Yoon Sukyeol Death Sentence'... Han's Side Says, "Venting Anger on Han Donghoon" (Comprehensive)

Decision Made After Controversy Over Slanderous Posts on Party Bulletin Board
Highest Level of Disciplinary Action Amid Allegations of Family Involvement
Former Leader Han Expected to Take Legal Action

The Ethics Committee of the People Power Party expelled former party leader Han Donghoon at dawn on January 14 over the controversy surrounding the party’s online bulletin board. Coincidentally, this decision came three hours after former President Yoon Sukyeol was sentenced to death by the special prosecutor for insurrection.

At 1 a.m. that day, the Ethics Committee announced in its “Central Ethics Committee Decision Statement,” “It has been determined that the respondent (former leader Han) authored the controversial post,” adding, “The organized posting activities, which are believed to have been carried out by his family, clearly constitute violations of the party constitution and regulations, given their content and the nature of the activities.” The committee continued, “These actions are serious violations of the party membership rules (duty of sincerity), the code of ethics (maintaining dignity), and the party bulletin board operation policy (prohibition of account sharing and slander),” and stated, “As of today, the committee has decided to expel Han Donghoon.”

Regarding this decision, the Ethics Committee explained, “This was based solely on evidence, facts, and analysis of the actions involved. Public opinion, media influence, political schedules, calculations of political advantage or disadvantage in elections, and pressure from influential figures were not considered in the committee’s deliberations or decision.” However, the committee criticized the response from Han’s side, stating, “The claims of ‘harassment’ and ‘spreading fear’ clearly demonstrate that the respondent shows no sign of remorse.”

The main issue raised by the committee was the suspicion that Han Donghoon’s family was involved in posting slanderous comments about former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife on the People Power Party’s member bulletin board. The Ethics Committee, which convened at 5 p.m. that day, produced a decision document exceeding 9,000 characters after a six-hour marathon meeting. Expulsion is the most severe of the committee’s disciplinary measures, which also include recommendations to leave the party, suspension of party membership, and warnings.

Yonhap News Agency

The committee also stated, “If the respondent personally authored the posts, this is not only an ethical and political issue but also a legal matter,” and recommended, “The party should request an investigation to uncover the truth.”

Han Donghoon responded on social media, saying, “I will defend democracy together with the people,” indicating that he does not accept the committee’s decision. He is expected to pursue legal action to challenge the validity of the expulsion.

Woo Jaejun, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, argued, “This disciplinary action lacks any justification,” and claimed, “Nevertheless, the reason for expelling former leader Han is ultimately retaliation for supporting impeachment.” Regarding the death sentence for former President Yoon, he said, “Even if the crime of insurrection is established in terms of personnel, it is an attempted crime, so there is room for a reduced sentence,” adding, “That possibility was created by none other than Han Donghoon, who prevented the imposition of martial law.” He continued, “Those who have only put forth far-fetched logic, failing to mount any proper legal or political defense, are now venting their anger on the blameless Han Donghoon, having pushed President Yoon Sukyeol into deeper trouble.”

According to the party’s rules, a decision to expel a member is finalized through a vote by the Supreme Council following the Ethics Committee’s resolution. Accordingly, the expulsion of former leader Han Donghoon is expected to be discussed by the Supreme Council.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has not released any official statement regarding the death sentence sought for former President Yoon Sukyeol.