[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: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Director: Producer Lee Kyungdo

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

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

So Jongseop: Thank you for agreeing to this phone interview.

Yoon Heeseok: Thank you.

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

Yoon Heeseok: To some extent, yes. But the timing felt rather abrupt.

So Jongseop: When did you think such a decision would be made?

Yoon Heeseok: I thought it would happen around the time of former President Yoon's sentencing. Not because they intended to match the timing, but because I expected the process to take about three to four weeks. Summoning, hearing, and meetings would likely occur weekly, so I estimated three to four weeks. However, it turns out that the day before the expulsion, on Monday afternoon last week, former leader Han Donghoon received some kind of contact. But it seems that the number might have been filtered as spam or something similar. So, he didn't know. He mentioned this during the press conference. The decision was made while he was unaware of the summons.

So Jongseop: He must have been completely shocked.

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 came out, and after 1 AM, a very long decision document was released. Since it coincided with the sentencing date for former President Yoon Seokyeol, I wondered if it was because of the death penalty sentencing, but I can't be sure. In any case, it definitely felt abrupt.

So Jongseop: I see. When you spoke to 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 unsure if it was true. The article listed about six disciplinary reasons. They seemed too weak, so we thought if expulsion was based on that, we needed to look into it more closely. That was the extent of our conversation.

So Jongseop: Jang Donghyuk, the party leader, has postponed the Supreme Council's vote. What do you think is his intention?

Yoon Heeseok: Since there is strong backlash inside and outside the party, I think he judged that the priority was to address procedural flaws in the Ethics Committee's decision. If they proceeded with the disciplinary action despite the flaws, the backlash would be even greater. This means the party leader himself acknowledges that there were clear problems with the Ethics Committee's decision. However, it's not enough to say that Chairman Jang has changed his mind. Also, former leader Han clearly stated he would not file for a retrial. So, the ball is still not in Han's court; since he already said he wouldn't seek a retrial, the decision remains with Jang Donghyuk. For the disciplinary action to take effect, Chairman Jang's decision is needed. Won't it have to be made in ten days? The only thing left is whether he will actually put it to a vote in ten days or not.

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

Yoon Heeseok: That's how I see it. In ten days, it will either happen or not. The decision will be up to Chairman Jang, and I think he'll spend the next ten days deliberating over it.

So Jongseop: Former leader Han's stance of not seeking a retrial remains unchanged, correct?

Yoon Heeseok: As far as I know, there hasn't been a process of gathering many opinions. I haven't heard anything new. So, I speak on the premise that he will not seek 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 probe into the Unification Church and nomination bribes. Is there a possibility this could be linked to the Supreme Council's decision?

Yoon Heeseok: I think he definitely wanted to escape the burden of disciplinary action and shift the political situation to a different phase. Another point is that, when making such an important decision, Chairman Jang would need to strengthen his support base. Since there are people who respond to physical demonstrations, like the previous 24-hour filibuster, he chose the most extreme method-hunger strike-to make his supporters pay attention to him again. That's what I thought.

So Jongseop: Do you think he aims to change the situation and rally his supporters? If so, wouldn't that make things more complicated for former leader Han?

Yoon Heeseok: The ball is not in Han's court, so there's nothing he can do. Most people agree that even if he applies for a retrial, nothing will change. There is nothing he can actively do. Whether it's during or after the hunger strike, the only thing left is whether the Supreme Council will vote on the disciplinary action in ten days or continue to postpone it. All we can do is watch.

So Jongseop: In any case, since the ball is now with Jang Donghyuk, you are saying you'll wait and see what decision he makes before responding?

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 is needed. Former leader Han should apologize, and Chairman Jang should lower the disciplinary level." What do you think of a political solution?

Yoon Heeseok: A political solution is necessary. That would be best. For example, if Chairman Jang said, "You have ten days to explain yourself at the Supreme Council," or went further and said, "Since there are problems with the Ethics Committee's decision, we should postpone the decision and consider other options," it could have led to a different outcome.

Some call this an apology, but I don't think former leader Han needs to apologize for the party bulletin board issue itself. He could, however, address the confusion caused to the party by this controversy. We see the result of the Party Affairs Audit Committee's investigation as manipulated and cannot accept it. So, the word "apology" can be interpreted in various ways. If someone who imposed the harshest punishment-expulsion-at midnight now demands an apology, how can you respond? 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 order is reversed?

Yoon Heeseok: There needs to be a prior step. 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, there are differing views on whether it's the right thing to do. Some argue that if you file for an injunction without providing an explanation, and then the disciplinary action is finalized after ten days, the chances of the injunction being granted are even lower. The purpose of an injunction is to get it granted, so to increase the chances, all possible procedures should be followed, including seeking a retrial.

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

Yoon Heeseok: Those who strongly support him see applying for a retrial as surrendering. Since multiple issues are at play, one could argue that to increase the chance of an injunction being granted, a retrial application should be submitted. But ultimately, since former leader Han has said he won't seek a retrial, there is no need to consider that option. So, as for whether an injunction is meaningful, I think there is much to consider before deciding if it's the right course.

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

Yoon Heeseok: For example, even if the 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 do it again. Then there will be another injunction, more legal disputes, and both sides will be hurt, but former leader Han will be hurt the most. What would become of the party in the meantime?

So Jongseop: So, until Chairman Jang makes a final decision at the Supreme Council, will former leader Han remain quiet?

Yoon Heeseok: There's nothing he can do, since nothing is changing. If the leadership changes its stance, things might be different, but now that a hunger strike has started, I'm not sure if such discussions are possible.

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

So Jongseop: Based on Chairman Jang's previous words and actions, isn't it likely that he will push forward with the Ethics Committee's decision?

Yoon Heeseok: That's how it looks for now.

So Jongseop: Regarding former leader Han's future, there is talk of forming a new party, running as an independent candidate for Seoul mayor, or quietly waiting for another chance. How do you see it?

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 show the party members and supporters that Han Donghoon truly loves the People Power Party. If the expulsion is withdrawn, the party can always change its rules, so he could be accepted back if the conditions are right. For that, a narrative is needed. Activities for the party can be continued, whether or not one is a member. I believe continuing to work for the party is the most important and essential thing for Han Donghoon as a politician.

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

Yoon Heeseok: Running as an independent could be considered, but that would mean he intends to win and return. In that case, he must win. There needs to be a district where he can run as an independent in a by-election and win. That's a constraint.

So Jongseop: Is there really such a district?

Yoon Heeseok: Exactly. If he just runs as an independent, the Democratic Party candidate will win. It would lower the chances for the People Power Party candidate. His chances of returning to the party would be even weaker. If he starts calculating political strategies like that, the public will see right through it. Also, given Han's character, I don't think he would do that. I think he will take the high road. After all, he started his political career with the People Power Party, and he was the first to oppose martial law to protect the party. Even if he is forced to leave, I don't think his feelings will change.

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

Yoon Heeseok: Thank you.