Internal and External Crises for Han Dong-hoon: "I Will Do Well," Contemplating Exit Strategy

Handonghun "Apologies to the People for Kim Daenam Attack Orchestration"
Jang Donghyuk "Doubtful He Could Have Acted Alone"
Choo Kyungho, "Myeong Taegyun's Claim Is One-Sided, Not Credible"

The People Power Party is facing both internal and external crises. While it has yet to find a solution to the party-government conflict internally, external setbacks such as the Myung Taegyun and Kim Daenam incidents continue to accumulate.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

On the 8th, Representative Han wrote on his social media (SNS), "Seeing the ongoing revelations of the orchestrated attacks by YouTubers and others who have been extremely slandering Kim Daenam, a former member of the People Power Party, I feel deeply apologetic to the people as the party leader." This appears to be his reflection on the suspicion that former presidential office administrator Kim Daenam was ordered to attack Representative Han, which was exposed when the YouTube channel Seoul Voice released a transcript. Representative Han added, "Despite such schemes, the party members and the public overwhelmingly chose and entrusted me. I feel a heavy responsibility anew. I will do well."

The pro-Han faction believes that the connection between former administrator Kim and other forces should also be investigated. On the same day, Shin Jiho, Deputy Head of Strategic Planning, said on SBS Radio, "This is a camp crime where leftist operatives colluded and conspired to bring down a right-wing leader. No one knows whether this was a one-man show by former administrator Kim or if he was involved with someone else." Jang Donghyuk, Senior Supreme Council Member, said on MBC Radio the same day, "There remains a question whether former administrator Kim could have thought and acted alone to this extent. We need to find answers to that question."

The issue of Myung Taegyun, who is implicated in allegations that First Lady Kim Geonhee interfered in the People Power Party’s nominations for the April 10 general election, is also growing. Myung has claimed to have given political advice to President Yoon Seokyeol and his wife, continuously emphasizing his relationship with the presidential office. As the opposition party is pushing to summon Myung as a witness to the Steering Committee during the National Assembly audit period, the ruling party’s risk related to Myung could deepen further. On the same day, Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho told reporters at the National Assembly, "I think what has been revealed are one-sided stories. We do not place much weight on their credibility," drawing a clear line.

The ruling and opposition parties’ consultative body involving the government and the National Assembly, which Representative Han is focusing on, is also failing to gain momentum. The party and government maintain that discussions can take place in the consultative body without agenda restrictions, but they seem to be struggling to persuade the medical community. Inside the party, there are criticisms that the presidential office is not supporting Representative Han. A senior lawmaker said in a phone interview, "The ruling party should empower the presidential office, and the presidential office should empower the ruling party, but that is not happening regarding the launch of the consultative body involving the ruling and opposition parties, the government, and the National Assembly." The conflict between President Yoon and Representative Han also shows no sign of resolution. Representative Han requested a private meeting with the president to discuss major issues, but no response has come yet. Meanwhile, Representative Han is seeking a breakthrough by expanding his support base, holding dinner meetings with pro-Han faction lawmakers and luncheons with 90 out-of-office party branch chiefs.

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