Pro-Han Faction on Han Donghoon's Expulsion: "Betrayal... Jang Leadership Must Step Down"

Sixteen Incumbent Lawmakers Join the Protest

On January 29, the Supreme Council of the People Power Party made a surprise decision to expel former party leader Han Donghoon over allegations of opinion manipulation on the party member bulletin board. In response, lawmakers aligned with Han, known as the pro-Han Donghoon faction, called for the resignation of party leader Jang Donghyuk and the party leadership.

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

Pro-Han Donghoon lawmakers, including Ko Dongjin of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, that afternoon, stating, "The decision to expel former leader Han is a grave act of betrayal that we absolutely cannot accept," and added, "Jang Donghyuk and the party leadership, who have driven the party in an anti-constitutional and undemocratic direction for personal gain, must take responsibility for this situation and step down immediately."

The lawmakers who signed the statement included Ko Dongjin, Kim Sungwon, Kim Yeji, Kim Hyungdong, Park Jungha, Bae Hyunjin, Seo Beomsoo, Kim Gun, Park Junghoon, Ahn Sanghoon, Woo Jaejun, Yoo Yongwon, Jeong Seongguk, Jeong Yeonwook, Jin Jongoh, and Han Jia.

They stated, "Emotionally ending the political life of a former party leader without clear facts or logic is unprecedented in the history of political parties," adding, "In particular, stripping a former Supreme Council member of party membership simply for criticizing the party leader blatantly exposes our party's lack of democracy. How can we claim the right to criticize the government or the Democratic Party of Korea after making such a decision?"

They continued, "Above all, if the immediate past party leader is expelled at this time, internal conflict will intensify, and ultimately, victory in the June local elections will become impossible. Countless party members preparing for the election on the ground must have felt devastated watching today's expulsion decision. We must ask whether the leadership has ever considered their sense of urgency, even once."

They further stated, "Despite repeated warnings from all media outlets about this issue, the Jang Donghyuk leadership pushed ahead with the expulsion, sacrificing the party's future for personal political gain. Jang Donghyuk and the party leadership must step down. That is the most urgent task for our party if we are to win the local elections."