Han Donghoon: "We Must Drive Out Yoon's Followers for Conservatism to Survive... At This Rate, Conservatism Will Collapse"

After Yoon Receives Life Sentence in First Trial, Han Launches Scathing Critique
Han Donghoon Apologizes: "I Am Sorry for Failing to Prevent Martial Law"

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon delivered a blistering criticism of former President Yoon Suk Yeol being sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial on charges of leading an insurrection, stating, "We can no longer allow those who have followed the Yoon Suk Yeol line, now condemned for insurrection, to keep leading the main opposition party down a path to ruin."

Han Donghoon, who was expelled from the People Power Party, is leaving after concluding a press conference at the National Assembly press briefing room on Jan. 29, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the 19th, through his social media account, Han said, "The insurrection conviction of former President Yoon was already a 'predestined future,' given that he openly declared (on December 11, 2024) that he would paralyze the functions of constitutional institutions."

He expressed regret, saying, "If, at that time, we had faced reality and taken the lead in holding former President Yoon accountable, the position in which the conservative camp now stands would be very different."

Han criticized, "The party is still being dominated by an anachronistic pro-leadership faction that follows the 'Yoon Suk Yeol line (support for martial law, opposition to impeachment, and denial of election results),' which has left the party isolated from public sentiment like a Galapagos." Aiming at the current leadership, he said, "It is filled mainly with people who called martial law 'God's will' or a 'Decree of Enlightenment,'" adding, "Now that they talk about a so-called 'shift to the center' and merely change their masks, there will not be a single citizen who believes them."

He further warned that, if things continue as they are, conservative politics itself could be annihilated, starting with a defeat in the upcoming local elections in June. He stressed, "There is a huge wall in front of the People Power Party, which is dominated by the Yoon Suk Yeol line, and sensible citizens are turning away," adding, "Rebuilding the conservative camp is a prerequisite for checking the runaway of a Democratic Party administration and for the development of the Republic of Korea."

Lastly, Han issued a public apology for failing to prevent both the life sentence handed down to the former president and the martial law crisis. He urged his supporters to take action, saying, "If the sensible majority does not remain silent and instead acts, they can subdue and drive out the blind followers," and added, "I will stay with you until the end on the path of rebuilding the conservative camp and protecting the Republic of Korea."