Yoon-Han Donghoon Meeting... "The Party's Il Representative Should Take Responsibility and Do Well" (Comprehensive)

1 Hour 30 Minutes Private Meeting... Yoon-Han Conflict Resolution
Discussion on Key Issues Including 2nd Secretariat and Party-Government Harmony
Han Strengthens Party Control Through Leadership Appointments

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, held a private meeting for about an hour and a half on the 30th. This meeting, conducted to end the discord rumors that arose during the general election and party convention and to strengthen party-government harmony, is expected to reinforce Han's control over the party.

According to the presidential office and senior ruling party officials on the 31st, President Yoon met with Han in the Yongsan Presidential Office after the Cabinet meeting the previous morning, exchanging well-wishes and advice.

This was the first meeting between President Yoon and Han since six days after the People Power Party convention on the 24th. Although the new leadership including Han and candidates for the party convention were invited to the presidential office for a 'Samgyeopsal dinner,' no private meeting took place then.

Only Jeong Jin-seok, Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, who arranged the meeting, was present. Most other presidential aides were unaware of the meeting, which was held in secrecy.

Although there were rumors of conflict between President Yoon and Han during the recent general election and party convention phases, it appears they agreed that the party and government must unite to counter the ruling party's special prosecutor law enforcement and to ensure the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

President Yoon and Han lightened the atmosphere by sharing anecdotes from their past as prosecutors and discussed various issues such as the establishment of the Second Secretariat and the passage of the Broadcasting Act in the National Assembly. After the meeting, the presidential office announced in an afternoon briefing the establishment of the Second Secretariat to officially assist First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Additionally, President Yoon reportedly told Han that once the party appointments are finalized, they should have dinner again at the presidential residence.

It is also known that President Yoon advised Han that to manage the People Power Party effectively, he must embrace the entire party. Park Jeong-ha, Secretary to the People Power Party leader, told reporters at the National Assembly that "President Yoon said, 'The party leader is responsible for the party's affairs and should do well. In that process, listen carefully to various opinions,' and Han heard this."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is evaluated as President Yoon empowering Han amid the subsiding conflict between the pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions following the party convention.

When asked by reporters whether President Yoon and Han would meet frequently, Secretary Park replied, "Isn't it said to communicate frequently with the presidential office in various places?" and added, "It is desirable and good that meetings continue." When asked if they would meet regularly, he said, "Not to that extent yet."

Regarding the ongoing internal opinions about whether to retain Jeong Jeom-sik, chairman of the Policy Committee and a pro-Yoon faction member, there is an interpretation that President Yoon does not intend to interfere with Han's appointments to the party leadership. Han has not yet appointed the nominated Supreme Council members or the Policy Committee chairman who form the party's top leadership.

When asked if the meeting between President Yoon and Han would influence the appointments, Secretary Park said, "(President Yoon) said, 'The current party leader should handle it well,' so you can interpret it that way."

Regarding the timing of finalizing the leadership appointments, in response to Seo Beom-su, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, saying they would be completed before the Paris Summer Olympics closing, Secretary Park said, "When is that? It should be done quickly," adding, "It could be this week or next week, we don't know yet."

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