Han Donghoon Says, "Abandon Any Expectation That I Will Quit Because I Run Out of Steam"

Talk Concert Held at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium on February 8

Ten days after being stripped of his People Power Party membership, former party leader Han Donghoon made his first public appearance. Han stated that he intends to continue his political activities, declaring, "Those who expect that I will quit because I run out of steam should give up that expectation."

On February 8, Han held a talk concert at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Songpa District, Seoul. The organizers estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 people attended. That day, the seats at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium were filled except for the restricted-view seats behind the stage.

Yonhap News Agency

As the talk concert began, former leader Han entered from the back of the first-floor audience and said, "Since I have been expelled, I have no title to put in front of my name. Just Han Donghoon," and added, "Before entering politics, I was a prosecutor who was strong against the powerful and weak against the weak, who did not grant special favors to former officials, and who did not sell cases for personal advancement." He went on, "The people who attack me have kept changing throughout my political career. First it was the Democratic Party, then it was the side of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and now it is extremist profiteers."

He also offered a critical assessment of the People Power Party and its leadership. Referring to YouTubers who had influenced conservative public opinion during former President Yoon’s administration, he said, "Absurdly, those YouTubers are now dominating the People Power Party leadership." He continued, "Recently in the People Power Party, there is this bizarre debate that no one in party history has ever even thought about, asking, 'What happens if the leadership does not step down after losing the local elections?'" and added, "I cannot hide my bitter feelings."

He also addressed the "party member bulletin board incident," which was cited as the justification for his expulsion. Han said, "From the moment I became party leader, the presidential office in Yongsan and its followers carried out a 'Kim Okgyun Project' to force my early resignation," adding, "The anonymous bulletin board incident was something that emerged in that process."

He continued, "After I became party leader, my family and I were subjected to unspeakable attacks. In an attempt to defend themselves in their own way, my family reportedly posted several links a day on the party member bulletin board to newspaper editorials criticizing the wrongdoings of former President Yoon and Kim Keon Hee," and added, "I am sorry for causing concern. There will be no such thing in the future."

He went on, "For those who wanted to oust me, the facts did not matter," and said, "In the end, the Kim Okgyun Project initiated by former President Yoon is being completed by leader Jang."

Han also laid out a roadmap for his future political course. He criticized both the ruling and opposition parties, saying, "The Democratic Party is smashing the judicial system to save President Lee Jae-myung, and some figures in the People Power Party are eliminating political opponents through fabrication for their own private gain, while not even daring to raise a peep against the Democratic Party." He added, "Martial law and 'Yoon Again' are contrary to the Constitution and therefore must not be tolerated, and the fraudulent election conspiracy theory is not true and must be definitively overcome."

Han then said, "I will take the lead. I will face the wind and rain first and pass through the storm first to forge a path," adding, "The history of the Republic of Korea has been a history of 'come-from-behind victories by the acting majority.' Let us begin our come-from-behind victory as the acting majority by acting together."