Yeo Party Convention Heats Up into Four-Way Race... Han Dong-hoon Says "Must Confront Chaesangbyeong Special Prosecutor Head-On"

Handonghun, Nakyeongwon, Won Heeryong, Yoon Sanghyun Lineup
Nakyeongwon: "Korea, Naive... Still Doesn't Understand Politics"

As the July 3 party convention to elect the leader of the People Power Party approaches, major candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, showing clear differences of opinion on sensitive political issues such as the ‘Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act.’ In particular, former emergency committee member Han Dong-hoon announced his intention to push for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, contrary to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s position, highlighting an ‘anti-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol)’ stance. This has prompted other party leadership candidates, including former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, Representative Na Kyung-won, and Representative Yoon Sang-hyun, to simultaneously launch counterattacks.

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the National Assembly who declared his candidacy for the leadership of the People Power Party (second from the left in the front row), former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon, Assembly member Na Kyung-won, and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong attended the study meeting of first-term members of the People Power Party held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 24th. They are posing for a commemorative photo with Emergency Response Committee Chairman Hwang Woo-yeo and Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho, cheering each other on.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 24th, former emergency committee member Han appeared on SBS Radio’s ‘Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show’ and stated, “It is difficult to say it is not possible (to enact the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act) based on legal logic.” Han emphasized, “Security and veterans affairs are strengths of conservatism. Yet, we must feel deeply sorry that such incidents occurred under conservative governments.”

He added, “(In our country) under the conscription system, young people must dedicate their youth whether they like it or not,” and stressed, “Therefore, we must properly honor them, firmly establish measures to prevent recurrence when such incidents happen, and severely punish those responsible. This is an area where conservative governments should take a more proactive stance.”

When asked why he expressed principled support for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act even before the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) investigation, he replied, “If I become party leader and newly propose the special prosecutor act, it will take some time, but I believe the CIO investigation will naturally conclude before then.” He continued, “However, if we attach such caveats as a tailpiece while proposing a direct breakthrough to follow public sentiment, the public might think, ‘Isn’t it basically the same?’ or ‘Isn’t it just like before?’”

He further explained, “I meant that there is no need to add such remarks,” and said, “I believe we must directly break through this issue by presenting reasonable alternatives without attaching such conditions.”

The previous day, after declaring his candidacy for the party leadership at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, Han stated that if he became party leader, he would push for a special prosecutor investigation led by the ruling party regarding the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. In response, the other party leadership candidates have maintained the party’s existing stance and collectively criticized Han.

Representative Na appeared on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ that day and criticized, “The Han Dong-hoon special prosecutor was also proposed by the opposition party, but will you conduct a special prosecutor investigation just because the polls are high?” She added, “That is a naive thought. I think you need to do politics a bit longer.” She also pointed out, “The Democratic Party’s push for the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor has no interest in uncovering the truth and is intended to lead to the president’s impeachment,” and questioned, “Can you change your stance on the special prosecutor just by citing public opinion?”

Former Minister Won said, “First, the CIO should conduct a thorough investigation, and if the results are insufficient, then the special prosecutor can be discussed. That is the ruling party’s position,” emphasizing, “Each incumbent People Power Party lawmaker has one vote, and the overwhelming majority oppose it.”

Representative Yoon stated, “(Former emergency committee member Han’s claim) tramples on the position of waiting for the CIO investigation, disrupts internal lines, and is a self-defeating move,” and sharply criticized, “It was almost as if he was confusing it with a Democratic Party leadership candidacy declaration.”

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