Kim Seokki Says "Han Donghoon Bears Responsibility for Election Defeat and Impeachment... He Should Step Back and Serve Humbly"

On the 26th, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seokki said of former party leader Han Donghoon, who has been pursuing an independent course since his expulsion, "If I were former leader Han, I would quietly step back and serve in a humble capacity," adding, "If he would go to difficult constituencies and say, 'We must get as many People Power Party candidates elected as possible to protect the country,' and, 'I have many complaints about the party, but let's at least win the election,' I think that could change the electoral landscape."

Yonhap News Agency

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Kim said, "At the time of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, we adopted opposition to impeachment as the party line in order to block impeachment at all costs, but former leader Han took the lead in passing the impeachment motion, and as expected, we ended up handing over the administration to the Democratic Party of Korea," making these remarks.

Kim continued, "One of the reasons the country and the party have fallen on hard times was the defeat in the 22nd general election, and in this as well, it cannot be said that former leader Han, who was then serving as emergency committee chair, bears anything less than serious responsibility," adding, "The declaration of martial law was wrong, but because impeachment had to be blocked, we set opposition to impeachment as the party line, yet former leader Han took the lead and the impeachment motion passed."

Kim went on to say, "How can remarks by former leader Han, such as saying that we must drive out pseudo-conservative forces from the party, that we must bring down leader Jang Donghyuk, or that an illegal martial law is underway within the People Power Party, be of any help to our party ahead of an election?" and added, "Such an attitude is not befitting a great leader."

Referring again to stepping back in a humble capacity, Kim said, "If, despite having suffered hardships within the party, he were to step forward to defend the country, the evaluation of former leader Han would become much higher, and I believe former leader Han would also have opportunities in the future," adding, "In particular, since there are many supporters of former leader Han in the greater Seoul area, if he were to say not that he will run in the election, but that he will quietly serve and protect the country, it would show him to be a truly great leader."