The Challenges of Han Dong-hoon, the Youngest Emergency Committee Chairman

Improving Ruling Party Relations and Uniting Non-Mainstream Factions Remain Challenges
'Kim Geon-hee Risk' and 'Hong Beom-do Controversy' Must Also Be Addressed

Former Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, the youngest emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party who has stepped in as the government's and ruling party's savior, faces a mountain of tasks to resolve. Reestablishing the party-government relationship, cited as a cause of the ruling party's declining approval ratings, and uniting the party's non-mainstream factions to expand the moderate base are urgent challenges. Within the ruling party, voices are also calling for former Minister Han to present clear solutions to current issues such as the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' and the controversy over relocating the statue of General Hong Beom-do.

Former Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is delivering a farewell speech at the Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon on the afternoon of the 21st during the farewell ceremony. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 22nd, People Power Party lawmaker Sung Il-jong expressed in an interview with YTN Radio that former Minister Han "has his own principles" and that "he would be suitable as a channel to boldly convey the public's opinions to the Presidential Office." He also mentioned the possibility of meetings between former Minister Han and non-Yoon faction figures such as former party leader Lee Jun-seok.

Within the People Power Party, voices are growing that to correct the vertical party-government relationship, which is cited as a cause of the approval rating decline, the new emergency committee chairman must demonstrate a unifying approach that embraces the non-Yoon faction.

Lawmaker Sung said, "The goal should be victory in the general election rather than personal thoughts or political gains." He added, "Under the Kim Ki-hyun leadership, there were criticisms that it was 'too vertical,' so there are various public demands regarding the party leader position." He emphasized, "While the ruling party inevitably has to work together to some extent under the presidential system, the party must be able to demand the president to reflect the people's voices in policies."

Earlier, People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung also said on KBS Radio, "Former Minister Han needs to increase and embrace as many allies as possible to win the general election," and "He should meet with former leader Lee Jun-seok and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and play a role in forming the election committee together."

There were also calls for former Minister Han to take a different stance from before regarding the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' and the 'General Hong Beom-do statue relocation controversy.' Former People Power Party Vision and Strategy Office head Kim Geun-sik said on SBS Radio, "(If the Special Prosecutor Act passes,) the president will exercise the veto power, and if the veto is exercised outright, there could be a backlash from public opinion." He added, "When requesting reconsideration from the president, conditions such as appointing a special inspector or establishing a second secretariat should be set, and the party must find a solution to the 'Kim Geon-hee risk' at the party level."

Kim also urged, "Regarding the Hong Beom-do statue issue, former Minister Han must voice his own opinion," and "As party leader, he should demand revisions to the overly ideological existing Yoon Seok-youl government line." However, he showed differences of opinion regarding embracing the non-Yoon faction. Kim said, "The Lee Jun-seok issue is actually a hot topic, but there is no sharp way to resolve it, and even if it is resolved, I wonder if it would really be beneficial."

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