Five Challenges That 'Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Committee Chairman' Must Overcome

On the 26th, Han Dong-hoon Elected as Emergency Committee Chairman through National Committee
Tasks Include Establishing Relationship between Presidential Office and Party
Must Overcome Conservative Image and Aim for Centrist Expansion

The People Power Party will contest next year's general election under the 'Han Dong-hoon system.' If the final approval procedure is completed through a non-face-to-face ARS vote at the National Committee meeting on the morning of the 26th, former Minister Han Dong-hoon will officially become the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party. However, the path ahead is not all smooth. There are challenging obstacles. What tasks lie ahead for former Minister Han, who was urgently deployed about 100 days before the general election?

Establishing Relations with the Presidential Office is the Top Priority

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is entering the National Assembly on the 20th to attend the full meeting of the Budget and Accounts Committee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

For former Minister Han, the key issue is how to establish relations between the party and the Presidential Office. He told reporters, "I believe that all public officials and politicians should cooperate for the people," adding, "Throughout my public service career, I have lived by the single standard of pursuing the public good, and in that process, I have never blindly followed anyone." He clarified that his relationship with President Yoon is also a cooperative one aimed at the 'people' and the 'public good,' not influenced by personal ties. However, it is necessary to visibly overcome the image of being a close aide to President Yoon, not just in words.

Within the People Power Party, there is hope that former Minister Han can also offer 'frank criticism' to President Yoon. Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, said in a KBS radio interview, "Former Minister Han has a strong trust relationship with the president. His frank criticism, born out of affection, can be well received and effective," adding, "The important thing is that the criticism must be heard." This means that tangible change must be brought about.

In this context, the most urgent issue is the handling of the special prosecutor law concerning stock manipulation allegations against First Lady Kim Geon-hee. The opposition party plans to pass the special prosecutor law for Mrs. Kim and the special prosecutor law related to the Daejang-dong 5 billion club scandal at the plenary session on the 28th. Since the bills have gone through the fast-track procedure, the ruling party cannot block their passage in the plenary session. Attention is focused on how the ruling party will respond to this issue.

For now, former Minister Han appears to have chosen to 'fight' on this issue. He criticized, "(The special prosecutor law) stipulates that the Justice Party recommends and decides the special prosecutor. It even includes a poison clause requiring live broadcast of the investigation," adding, "It is a malicious law created at a specific time to facilitate the Democratic Party's propaganda and agitation during the general election," and "Such aspects should be considered within the parliamentary procedure." He is pointing out that the content and timing of the special prosecutor law coincide with the election, potentially affecting it. However, given the People Power Party's position, which finds it difficult to reject the special prosecutor law against the majority public opinion or to accept it, the solution they propose will be a key point to watch.

Finding the Winning Formula for the General Election, Including Reform Nominations, is Also Crucial

The top priority for former Minister Han, urgently drafted to secure victory in the general election, must be winning. However, the key question is whether he can find the formula for victory in the process.

Regarding election preparations, an urgent issue remains how to manage relations with figures like former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who is on the verge of leaving the party. In a CBS radio interview, former leader Lee said, "I can meet him," but added, "Even if we meet, I don't think there is much to say," and "I have no expectations." It is also of interest what kind of relationship will be formed with former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who has been critical of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Reform nominations are also a challenge. Former Minister Han must immediately proceed with appointments such as the head of the nomination management committee. The direction of these appointments will likely indicate the direction of nominations. Previously, In Yo-han, the People Power Party Innovation Committee chairman, demanded the leadership, senior members, and pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) lawmakers to either not run or run in difficult districts, citing 'sacrifice' and other reasons. How much of the reform plan can be realized and whether reform nominations can be achieved will be points to watch. With the emergence of an emergency committee chairman born in the 1970s, expectations for generational change have also increased, and how this will be fulfilled is another key issue.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is adjusting his glasses during the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

However, the fact that former Minister Han enjoys enthusiastic support from the 'conservative base' is a double-edged sword. For the People Power Party, which needs to expand its support base, whether support can be broadened among centrists and young voters will serve as a barometer for election victory. The moment former Minister Han became an 'icon of conservatism,' the party's strategy to expand toward the center inevitably faces setbacks.

'Fighter' Image Must Be Surpassed

Relations with the opposition are also a variable to watch. During his tenure as minister, former Minister Han was known for engaging in heated exchanges with opposition lawmakers, including those from the Democratic Party. For example, regarding the arrest motion, he did not merely provide formal explanations but introduced specific criminal facts, showing a different approach. This led to strong opposition backlash. It remains to be seen whether he will continue such 'verbal battles' as the head of the ruling party.

The opposition is preparing for a confrontation with former Minister Han. The Democratic Party, which expressed confidence by saying "It would be good if former Minister Han takes the emergency committee chairman position," has officially issued both criticism and welcome statements. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, after volunteering at the 'Keunsup Senior Center' in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, told reporters, "Congratulations on your appointment as emergency committee chairman," and added, "I hope you will fulfill the responsibilities and duties given as the head of the ruling party." On the other hand, Democratic Party spokesperson Han Min-soo criticized in a statement, "Normally, the successor is nominated, goes through a parliamentary confirmation hearing, and then appointed before the predecessor steps down," and added, "Ignoring all these procedures and resigning means you don't care about the administrative gap in the Ministry of Justice."

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