Han Donghoon Expulsion Decision Sparks All-Out War Between People Power Party Leadership and Pro-Han Faction

Party Ethics Committee Decides to Expel Han Donghoon
Jang Donghyuk: "I Will Abide by the Ethics Committee's Decision"
Pro-Han Faction Holds Emergency Meeting to Discuss Countermeasures

The Central Ethics Committee of the People Power Party has made a sudden decision to expel former leader Han Donghoon in connection with the so-called party member bulletin board incident. With pro-Han (Han Donghoon) factions and reformist members within the party immediately protesting, and leader Jang Donghyuk announcing he would abide by the Ethics Committee's decision, internal strife is expected to reach its peak.

On January 14, after a 'Policy Consultation between the Party Leader and Daejeon Mayor on Daejeon and Chungnam Integration' held at Daejeon City Hall, Jang Donghyuk met with reporters and said, "I believe the Ethics Committee made its decision after considering various circumstances," adding, "We are not considering overturning this decision or seeking alternative solutions." He further stated, "The party member bulletin board incident has been ongoing for a long time, and there have been many internal conflicts during that period," signaling his intention to uphold the decision for severe disciplinary action.

Yonhap News Agency

On January 15, the party's Supreme Council will vote on the expulsion proposal for Han Donghoon. The Ethics Committee's decision for severe disciplinary action will be finalized after approval by the Supreme Council. In a press release issued in the early morning and a corrected statement later that morning, the Ethics Committee explained, "The Party Affairs Audit Committee's investigation confirmed that posts were made using an account under the name of the person subject to disciplinary action," and added, "The person under investigation bears significant political and ethical responsibility."

The abrupt decision to expel Han is seen as a reflection of the leadership's determination to swiftly move past the controversy over the party member bulletin board. The newly established Party Affairs Audit Committee under the Jang Donghyuk leadership referred the disciplinary case to the Ethics Committee on December 30 last year, holding Han Donghoon responsible for the controversy. The Ethics Committee, which officially launched on January 8, held its first closed-door meeting on January 9 and decided on severe disciplinary action at its second meeting the following day.

Yonhap News Agency

The pro-Han faction strongly objected. They demanded an explanation from the leadership regarding the Ethics Committee's decision and called for Jang Donghyuk to personally overturn the decision. Going beyond individual statements, they held an emergency meeting at an undisclosed location in Seoul on the morning of January 14 to discuss future actions. One pro-Han lawmaker said in a phone call, "The decision to expel is tantamount to an act of internal sabotage," adding, "Regardless of faction, we will strongly protest to the leadership as early as today."

'Alternative and Future,' a reformist group within the party, also plans to issue a statement calling for the Ethics Committee to reconsider its decision. Kwon Youngjin, a member of Alternative and Future, said on CBS Radio that day, "If the Jang Donghyuk leadership does not reject the Ethics Committee's decision and resolve this politically, there will be significant repercussions," adding, "Starting today, there will be public challenges to the decision."