Handonghun Running Again in Jongno? ... Ruling Party's Role Theory of "Running in a Difficult District"

"Not an Easy Place, Please Run in a Tough District"
Minister Han Also Rumored to Run in Gangnam, Seocho, Yangjae

With next year's general election approaching, speculation about Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon running in a challenging district has once again become a focal point both inside and outside the ruling party. Within the People Power Party, following the recent defeat in the Gangseo District Office by-election, which plunged the party into a crisis over the metropolitan area elections, there is an opinion that Minister Han, who has high name recognition, should lead the party to victory by running in a difficult district.

On the 23rd, People Power Party lawmaker Cho Hae-jin said in an interview with SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "If Minister Han can run in a district where a Democratic Party lawmaker currently holds office and win, and also help our candidates win in other Democratic Party districts thanks to his influence, he must run unconditionally."

Lawmaker Cho added, "Running in an easy district just to enter the National Assembly is not even a matter of concern or consideration for our party at this point. There is no need to mention it. If he can help not only himself but also take seats from the Democratic Party in other districts, we must consider it and definitely proceed in that direction."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Supreme Council Member Kim Byung-min emphasized that Minister Han has not officially confirmed his candidacy but noted, "Over the weekend, a media outlet mentioned speculation about Minister Han running in Jongno, and looking at the background, there are people who argue that Minister Han should run in a challenging district," addressing the background of the speculation about Minister Han's candidacy.

Earlier, when Minister Han was spotted visiting the Seoul Seocho District's Seoul Arts Center, speculation about his candidacy in Seocho and Gangnam districts became a topic of interest in political circles.

Supreme Council Member Kim said, "Minister Han is a symbolic figure of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and also enjoys high public support, so it is reasonable to think that he should run in a swing voter area or a region that can influence the overall election outcome."

He added, "Elections are not won simply by going to other districts and campaigning with a microphone; they are media battles where all the press focuses on the election. Therefore, raising the greatest symbolic significance against the Democratic Party in a region with particular characteristics and gaining momentum there is one of the most important strategies that determine the success or failure of the two major parties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.