Han Dong-hoon Chairman: "If a Special Inspector is Recommended, It Can Be Done; Ready to Consult with the Opposition"

“The Presidential Second Secretariat Needs to Be Established”

"Our party is ready to consult with the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the recommendation of the Special Inspector."

On the 10th, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said this to reporters after the Gyeongnam Provincial Party's New Year's meeting held at the Changwon Convention Center (CECO) in Gyeongnam.

Chairman Han stated, "The Special Inspector is an existing system, so the National Assembly can make the recommendation," adding, "It was not recommended throughout the previous Moon Jae-in administration, and we are ready to consult with the Democratic Party."

Regarding the Second Secretariat of the Presidential Office, which was abolished after President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration, he said, "I think it is necessary."

He added, "The Presidential Office said it would review it thoroughly, so we should wait and see."

Handonghun, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is looking at party members at the Gyeongnam Provincial Party New Year's meeting.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

In response to voices inside and outside the party demanding so-called 'Kim Geon-hee Madam risk management' concerning controversies related to President Yoon's wife, he said, "It is naturally welcomed to express various opinions," and added, "I will listen carefully."

Regarding the opinion that President Yoon should directly explain to the public, he replied, "That is a matter for the Presidential Office to decide."

On the special law for the Itaewon disaster, which the opposition party passed unilaterally the day before, he expressed concern, saying, "The special investigation committee for the disaster is controlled by the opposition party and can conduct searches, impose travel bans, and issue accompaniment orders," adding, "If the opposition-led investigation committee conducts an investigation at the level of the prosecution for one and a half years, it will divide public opinion."

"Our party did not oppose the special law itself but wanted a fair special law that would not divide public opinion, that would commemorate the victims, console the bereaved families, and strengthen the investigation," he pointed out, "The special law currently passed unilaterally by the Democratic Party does not meet these criteria."

When asked whether they would recommend the president to exercise the veto power, he said, "I understand that there will be careful discussions within the party."

Regarding the successive declarations of candidacy for the general election by incumbent chief prosecutors, he mentioned the resignation for the candidacy of Prosecutor General Lee Sung-yoon, saying, "Even incumbent chief prosecutors are running."

He added, "Many things have been disrupted since the Hwang Un-ha law. According to Supreme Court precedents, it is the individual's right itself," and said, "We are aware of the concerns and will consider them when selecting candidates."

Earlier, Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Un-ha was elected as a member of the National Assembly while still a police officer, but later the Supreme Court ruled that if a resignation letter was submitted within the public office resignation deadline, the candidate could run even if the resignation was not accepted, thus maintaining the parliamentary seat.

Handonghun, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is moving after paying respects at the National 3.15 Democracy Cemetery in Changwon, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Regarding former Emergency Committee member Park Eun-sik's remark calling Baekbeom Kim Gu "a person who threw bombs," Chairman Han said, "I do not agree with that expression," adding, "Since he is a public figure, I expect him to be more cautious with his words and actions."

On the misogynistic expressions such as 'potential sexual molester' and 'potential infanticide suspect' used by Park Sang-soo, the first recruited talent for the general election, he said, "If that is his philosophy, we cannot go together."

On this day, Chairman Han said, "Our People Power Party will engage in politics that meets the public's expectations."

He pointed out, "There are increasing cases where lawmakers intentionally delay trials or exploit trial delays as a shield," adding, "During that time, their terms pass, they do everything they want, and they receive salaries funded by the people's hard-earned taxes."

He continued, "We will propose a bill that requires lawmakers undergoing trials to return all their salaries during the trial period if they are convicted of imprisonment or higher."

"Even if the bill does not pass due to the Democratic Party's opposition, we will obtain a pledge from those who wish to become People Power Party candidates in this general election to keep this promise," he emphasized.

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