Han Donghoon Attends YS Documentary Premiere
Expresses His Feelings by Quoting YS
People Power Party Leadership: "Han's Expulsion Issue Will Proceed According to Procedure"
Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, ahead of the decision on his expulsion scheduled for the 28th, expressed his feelings by quoting former President Kim Youngsam, saying, "Even if you wring a chicken's neck, dawn will still come." The People Power Party leadership indicated a firm stance, stating, "We will proceed according to procedure."
On the afternoon of the 28th, Han made these remarks while attending the premiere of "The Forgotten President: Kim Youngsam's Era of Reform" at CGV Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. He said, "I have a sense of duty to pursue good politics for the people," and emphasized, "Even as I face unfair expulsion, just as President Kim Youngsam once said, 'Even if you wring a chicken's neck, dawn will still come,' I will continue forward with unwavering resolve, trusting in the people."
On this day, Han refrained as much as possible from making direct comments regarding his party disciplinary action and his future within the party. Instead, he referenced the case of former President Kim, who also experienced unfair expulsion, drawing a parallel to his own situation and delivering a message aligned with it.
Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon is moving to the screening room at a movie theater in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to watch "The Forgotten President: The Reform Era of Kim Youngsam" on January 28, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Within political circles, some analysts suggest that Han's emphasis on the 'YS spirit' is intended to expand the narrative of his party disciplinary situation beyond mere internal conflict, framing it as a debate over the reform direction of the conservative party. On January 9, during a lecture at the Dongdaemun district party chapter in Seoul, Han stated, "Only when we inherit the 'YS spirit' can we claim the legitimacy and justification of being the force that ended military dictatorship and achieved democratization," defining himself as a 'true conservative.'
The group of junior lawmakers in the National Assembly is urging the leadership to reconsider the expulsion for the sake of party unity. However, there is speculation among those close to the leadership that People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk will approve the expulsion motion on the 29th, when he officially returns to work. On the afternoon of the 28th, Jang, along with party leaders, inspected agricultural and fisheries product prices. Later, when meeting with reporters, he said, "Sufficient time has been provided regarding Han's expulsion, and we will proceed according to procedure."
Meanwhile, regarding Han's remarks about inheriting the 'YS spirit,' Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform Party, criticized, "Watching a biographical documentary about former President Kim Youngsam and trying to equate oneself with him is disrespectful to the political community," adding, "In fact, those who feel a deep sense of deficiency tend to emphasize conservative identity more. Fighting due to internal divisions within the party has nothing to do with conservatism."
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