[Column] One Month Since Han Dong-hoon's Inauguration, No 'Public Expectation' Standard

"Respond more to the people's hearts and the people's standards"

On the 23rd, marking one month since his inauguration, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, emphasized the "people's standards" from his acceptance speech. It was an aspiration to regain public trust through sensible politics. However, there is no clear "standard" in the people's standards that Han emphasizes. Han and the People Power Party need to present more concrete details about what level of people's standards they are referring to.

On the 21st, regarding the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's decision to clear First Lady Kim Geon-hee of allegations related to receiving luxury bags, Han said, "The prosecution must have made a judicial judgment based on facts and legal principles." This was in response to reporters asking whether the prosecution's decision to clear her matched the people's standards. His general answer that the prosecution likely made a sound judgment can be interpreted as meaning that since it aligns with legal principles and facts, it meets the people's standards. However, it could also be seen as avoiding a direct answer to the question about the people's standards.

Han's evasive response contrasts with his stance a month ago. Right after his inauguration on the 23rd of last month, Han said at a press conference that "the prosecution should have considered the people's standards more when deciding on the investigation method" regarding the prosecution's private investigation of Kim. When the prosecution conducted a private investigation into Kim's alleged stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors and the luxury bag allegations at the Presidential Security Service facility, criticism arose about "special treatment for the First Lady," and Han expressed regret. Although Han expressed regret about the private investigation, there is no reason for him to oppose the prosecution's recent decision to clear her. Since Han has emphasized the people's standards, the public was simply curious about his judgment on whether this decision aligns with those standards.

Han should also consider the people's standards regarding the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, a key issue in the 22nd National Assembly. Han declared that he would propose the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, which allows a third party?the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?to recommend the special prosecutor, to persuade the public. This was an idea to directly overcome the political deadlock by removing problematic clauses from the opposition's special prosecutor bill. The opposition not only accepts this but also insists that the special prosecutor should include the ruling party's alleged "whistleblower manipulation." However, despite the opposition's acceptance, the proposal of the third-party special prosecutor bill is facing internal resistance within the ruling party. Between proposing or not proposing the third-party special prosecutor bill he pledged, which option seems more appropriate to the people's and fellow citizens' standards?

Kim Jong-hyuk, a close ally and Supreme Council member, said, "The task given to Han Dong-hoon's leadership is to make the People Power Party a winning party through change, reform, and a horizontal party-government relationship." Han's overwhelming 63% support at the election meant the public and party members' yearning for innovation. The public and party members are watching how Han leads the "change that meets the people's standards" he pledged. Besides the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, Han still faces tasks such as the seven political reform proposals he and ruling party lawmakers pledged to the public, including the waiver of parliamentary immunity and salary cuts for lawmakers that meet the people's standards. There is a need for explanations on what level of parliamentary salary aligns with the people's standards and how the relinquishment of privileges will be implemented.

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