[Current Affairs Show] Yoon Heeseok: "Han Donghoon Will Continue Working for the Party Even If Expelled"

"A Political Solution Is Needed in This Situation"
"Jang Donghyuk's Hunger Strike Aims for Change and to Strengthen His Base"
"Running as an Independent Is Possible, but There Are Constraints"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily's 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' (Monday to Friday, 4-5 PM)

■ Host: So Jongseop, Political Specialist ■ Director: Lee Kyungdo, Producer

■ Guest: Yoon Heeseok, former spokesperson of the People Power Party (January 15)

※ When quoting content from this article, please be sure to cite 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show.'

So Jongseop: Thank you for accepting this phone interview.

Yoon Heeseok: Thank you.

So Jongseop: Did you expect the People Power Party Ethics Committee to decide on expulsion?

Yoon Heeseok: To some extent, yes. But the timing was quite sudden.

So Jongseop: Then, when did you expect such a decision to be made?

Yoon Heeseok: I thought it might happen around the time of former President Yoon's sentencing. Not because they wanted to match the timing with the sentencing, but because I believed the procedure would take about three to four weeks. There would be meetings and hearings, probably on a weekly basis, so I expected it to take about three to four weeks. However, it turns out that last Monday afternoon, just a day before the expulsion decision, former leader Han received some kind of contact. But apparently, the number was flagged as spam or something similar, so Han did not know about it. He mentioned this during the press conference. So, the decision was made without Han even knowing he was supposed to attend.

So Jongseop: He must have been completely caught off guard.

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily's 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show,' Yoon Heeseok, former spokesperson of the People Power Party, said, "After seeing Chairman Jang decide on disciplinary action at the Supreme Council, we will respond accordingly."

Yoon Heeseok: It was a real shock. In fact, just before midnight, an article was published, and after 1 AM, a very long decision document was released. Since it coincided with the sentencing date of former President Yoon Seokyeol, I wondered if it was because of the death penalty sentence, but I can't say for sure. Anyway, it definitely felt abrupt.

So Jongseop: I see. When you spoke with former leader Han, what was his initial reaction?

Yoon Heeseok: That was before the Ethics Committee's announcement. It was right after an article in Naeil Newspaper came out. We were both wondering if it was true or not. The report listed about six reasons for disciplinary action, but they seemed too vague. If expulsion was decided based on that, we thought we needed to look into it more closely. That's about as far as our conversation went.

So Jongseop: Jang Donghyuk, the party leader, has postponed the Supreme Council's decision. What do you make of that?

Yoon Heeseok: Since there was significant backlash inside and outside the party, I think he judged that it was necessary to address procedural flaws in the Ethics Committee's decision process to quell the opposition. If they proceeded with disciplinary action despite these flaws, the backlash would likely be severe. This also means that the party leader himself acknowledged there were clear problems with the Ethics Committee's decision. However, it's hard to say that this alone means Chairman Jang has changed his mind. And former leader Han has clearly stated he will not apply for a retrial. Ultimately, the ball is not in Han's court, since he already said he wouldn't request a retrial. So, the decision remains with Jang Donghyuk. In other words, for the disciplinary action to take effect, Jang's decision is necessary. Shouldn't this be done ten days later? The only thing left is whether he will actually make the decision in ten days or not.

So Jongseop: So, you see no fundamental change in the situation, just a delay?

Yoon Heeseok: That's how I see it. In ten days, it will be one or the other: either the disciplinary action proceeds or it doesn't. The decision will be up to Chairman Jang, and I think he will spend those ten days deliberating on it.

So Jongseop: Former leader Han's stance not to apply for a retrial remains unchanged, correct?

Yoon Heeseok: As far as I know, there hasn't been any process of gathering many people's opinions or anything like that. At least, I haven't heard anything new. So, I am speaking on the premise that he will not apply for a retrial.

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the press conference after expressing his position regarding the party's Ethics Committee's decision to expel him on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

So Jongseop: Jang Donghyuk has started a hunger strike demanding a special investigation into the Unification Church and nomination bribes. Isn't there a possibility this could be connected to the Supreme Council's decision?

Yoon Heeseok: I suspect there was definitely an intention to escape the burden of disciplinary action and shift the political situation to a different phase. Another reason is that, in making such an important decision, Chairman Jang may have felt the need to further solidify his support base. Given that some people respond to physical demonstrations-like the 24-hour filibuster last time-he may have chosen the most extreme method, a hunger strike, to make his supporters rally around him again. That's how I see it.

So Jongseop: So, it's about shifting the situation and rallying the base. In that case, wouldn't former leader Han's concerns deepen?

Yoon Heeseok: The ball is not in his court, so there's nothing someone facing disciplinary action can do. Most people agree that even if a retrial is requested, it won't change anything, so I think there's nothing he can do proactively. Whether it's during or after the hunger strike, the only thing left is whether the Supreme Council will make a decision on the disciplinary action in ten days or postpone it and keep dragging it out. All we can do is watch.

So Jongseop: Since the decision is now up to Jang Donghyuk, you're saying you'll wait and respond after seeing what he decides?

Yoon Heeseok: That's right.

So Jongseop: At the People Power Party's general meeting, there were many opinions that "this shouldn't go to court, a political solution should be sought, former leader Han should apologize, and Chairman Jang should lower the level of disciplinary action." What do you think about a political solution?

Yoon Heeseok: A political solution is needed in this situation. That would be best. For example, if Chairman Jang said, "You have ten days to explain yourself at the Supreme Council," or went a step further and said, "Since there are problems with the Ethics Committee's decision, I am putting the decision on hold and considering other options," that alone could have changed the situation. People call that an apology, but I don't think Han needs to apologize for the party bulletin board issue itself. He could, however, comment on the confusion caused to the party by this controversy. We see the audit results from the Party Affairs Audit Committee as manipulated and unacceptable, so the meaning of an apology can be interpreted in many ways. If someone who imposed the heaviest penalty of expulsion in the middle of the night now demands an apology, how can you respond to that? The order is wrong.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, began a hunger strike on the 15th in front of the Constituent National Assembly Member Statue in the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly, urging acceptance of a special investigation into nomination bribes and the Unification Church. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

So Jongseop: So, the sequence is reversed?

Yoon Heeseok: There needs to be some prior action. As I said earlier, at least a declarative statement that the Ethics Committee's decision was wrong is needed.

So Jongseop: There has also been talk of legal action, such as an injunction. What do you think about that?

Yoon Heeseok: Even among those who think similarly to former leader Han, opinions are divided. Regardless of whether the injunction is granted, some question whether it's the right thing to do. There's also the view that if you apply for an injunction after not presenting your case and the disciplinary action is finalized after ten days, the chances of the injunction being granted are much lower. Since the purpose of requesting an injunction is to get it granted, some argue that you should go through all possible procedures to increase the likelihood of success.

So Jongseop: So, there are a variety of opinions.

Yoon Heeseok: Some strong supporters see applying for a retrial as surrendering. Since there are many complex issues at play, there's a logical argument that applying for a retrial could increase the chances of an injunction being granted. But fundamentally, since Han has said he won't apply for a retrial, I don't think there's any need to consider it. Based on that, I think there's a lot to consider about whether an injunction is even meaningful.

So Jongseop: So, you believe an injunction would be ineffective?

Yoon Heeseok: Even if an injunction is granted and the expulsion is nullified, the leadership under Jang Donghyuk, who made the expulsion decision, won't think the disciplinary action was wrong just because the court granted an injunction. They'll just impose the disciplinary action again. Then there will be another injunction request, more legal battles, and both sides will be hurt, but former leader Han will be hurt the most. What will become of the party in the meantime?

So Jongseop: So, until Chairman Jang reaches a conclusion at the Supreme Council, will former leader Han remain quiet?

Yoon Heeseok: There's nothing he can do, since nothing is changing. Unless there is a shift in the leadership's position, it's hard to see any change, especially now that a hunger strike has begun. I don't know if such discussions are even possible in this situation.

Former spokesperson Yoon said, "The party may withdraw the disciplinary action. A narrative is needed for him."

So Jongseop: Based on Chairman Jang's words and actions so far, isn't it likely that he'll push ahead with the Ethics Committee's decision?

Yoon Heeseok: For now, that's how it looks.

So Jongseop: There has been speculation about former leader Han's future-founding a new party, running as an independent for Seoul mayor, or quietly waiting for another chance. What do you think is most likely?

Yoon Heeseok: Judging by Han Donghoon's actions so far, his activities have always been based on being a party member. He truly loves the party. Otherwise, there would be no reason to remain in the party under such pressure and opposition-he would have left long ago. But now, he is being forced out. Still, this could be an opportunity to reinforce the image that Han Donghoon loves the People Power Party, both to party members and supporters. If the expulsion is withdrawn-and since the party can always change its rules-he could be accepted back if the conditions are right. A narrative is needed for that. Activities for the party can continue, whether one is a member or not. I think that's the most important and essential thing for politician Han Donghoon.

So Jongseop: So, founding a new party or running as an independent are not realistic options?

Yoon Heeseok: Running as an independent could be considered, but that would mean he must win and return to the party. That requires finding a constituency where he could win a by-election as an independent and return, which is a significant constraint.

Former spokesperson Yoon Heeseok said, "Even if he is expelled, former representative Han Donghoon will continue activities for the People Power Party." Former representative Han leaving after a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

So Jongseop: Is there even such a constituency?

Yoon Heeseok: Exactly. If he just runs as an independent, the Democratic Party candidate would probably win. That would decrease the chances for the People Power Party candidate and weaken Han's foundation for returning to the party. If he starts making such political calculations, the public will see right through it, and I don't think that's in line with Han's character. So, I think he will take the high road. He started his political career with the People Power Party and was the first to oppose martial law to protect the party. Even if he is expelled and forced to leave, I don't think his loyalty to the party will change.

So Jongseop: We'll end here. Thank you, Mr. Yoon.

Yoon Heeseok: Thank you.