What Is the Inside Story Behind Han Dong-hoon's Distance from Yongsan? ... Promise Alliance vs Power Struggle

Lee Jun-seok "Yoon-Han Conflict, Planned"
Park Ji-won "Han Dong-hoon Will Eventually Resign Because He Can't Endure"

There are conflicting interpretations regarding the report that Lee Gwan-seop, Chief of Staff to the President, conveyed a resignation demand to Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. Opinions are sharply divided between the interpretation that this is a planned, so-called staged conflict and the view that it is a power struggle that could lead to Chairman Han's resignation.

On the 22nd, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, appeared on the YouTube channel 'Jang Yoon-seon's Reporting Convenience Store' and claimed that the situation in which the Presidential Office and the ruling party mainstream are demanding Chairman Han's resignation is a 'planned clash.' He stated, "A certain person who knows President Yoon Seok-yeol and Chairman Han well told me, 'Sending Lee Gwan-seop was a prearranged sparring match.'" The term prearranged sparring match is a Taekwondo term meaning an agreed-upon attack and defense in advance, suggesting that the resignation demand for Han Dong-hoon is a planned, staged conflict between President Yoon and Chairman Han.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is listening to the host's explanation at the talent recruitment welcome ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

He added, "If President Yoon wanted to scold or say unpleasant things to Chairman Han in a blunt way, he could just call or send a message via Telegram; there is no reason to send Chief Lee to say 'Do this, do that,'" and predicted, "It seems they will try to end it with the balance of power leaning toward Chairman Han's side."

On the other hand, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won diagnosed the situation as a power struggle. On the same day, on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' Park said, "I see this not as a prearranged sparring match but as a real fight," adding, "Professor Lee Soo-jung and Emergency Committee member Kim Kyung-yul are apologizing for the Dior bag (suspicion of bribery) involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee, while Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is fanning the flames. Will this work? They know too little about First Lady Kim Keon-hee. I even posted on SNS that Lee Soo-jung and Kim Kyung-yul would not get nominations, and that turned out to be accurate."

Park said, "When we watch Joseon Dynasty historical dramas, the terrifying power of the queen dowager makes all the ministers step back," and added, "It feels like watching such a palace drama in 21st-century Seoul. Under no circumstances will President Yoon Seok-yeol back down now."

Furthermore, Park predicted that Chairman Han would not withstand the pressure from Yongsan and would resign. He analyzed, "(Chairman Han) will resist, saying he will do what he has to do, but ultimately, he will not be able to endure it."

Chairman Han expressed his intention not to resign. At the National Assembly that day, he said, "I understand that my term continues until after the general election," adding, "I believe the April 10 general election is truly important for the people and the future of this country, and that is why I accepted this position with the determination to devote everything I have. Although I am lacking, I have done my best."

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