Han Donghoon's Expulsion Confirmed: People Power Party Enters Turbulent Waters

Supreme Council Approves Expulsion
Pro-Han Faction Vows to "Fight to the End"

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, was expelled from the party on January 29. As Han is expected to express his views at a press conference, the internal strife within the People Power Party is likely to intensify.

On the morning of the same day, during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, the People Power Party approved the Central Ethics Committee's decision to expel Han over allegations that his family manipulated public opinion on the party member bulletin board. This decision came just one day after Leader Jang Donghyuk returned to party affairs.

Yonhap News Agency

Nine Supreme Council members attended the meeting. Of these, seven reportedly expressed support for the expulsion. Woo Jaejun, a pro-Han Supreme Council member, was the only one to explicitly oppose the decision. Speaking to reporters during the meeting, Woo stated, "This is ultimately retaliation for supporting impeachment." Kim Jonghyuk, a former Supreme Council member who was disciplined alongside Han with a recommendation to leave the party, wrote on social media, "I will fight to the end against the forces that destroyed conservatism: President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Jang Donghyuk and his followers, and the pseudo-religious group."

Han Donghoon is expected to announce his position at a press conference in the afternoon. The previous day, after watching a biographical film about former President Kim Youngsam, he stated, "Just as former President Kim said, 'Even if you twist the neck of a chicken, dawn will come,' I will continue to stand with the people with an unyielding spirit." There is also a possibility that he will file an injunction with the court to suspend the effect of the expulsion. Park Junghoon, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on SBS Radio that the matter would be "considered carefully."

Han's camp plans to rally support with a large-scale outdoor rally on January 31 and a talk concert on February 8. Running as an independent or through other means in the National Assembly by-election scheduled for June 3 remains an option for Han. However, the likelihood of a mass defection by Han's faction appears low. A pro-Han official commented, "With the local elections approaching, defeatism is so widespread within the party that even candidates are not gathering," adding, "I do not believe the current leadership will last long."