Han Dong-hoon Invited to Trump's Inauguration... The Reason for His Decision to 'Decline'

"Decided Not to Attend Inauguration Due to Difficult Domestic Political Situation"
Park Jeongha, Han Jia, and Kwon Seongdong Also Decline to Attend

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon was invited to the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump held in Washington D.C. on the 20th (local time) but decided not to attend. The reason for his absence was reportedly that "given the difficult domestic political situation, attending the inauguration of a foreign president does not meet the expectations of the people."

According to political circles on the 13th, Han recently received an invitation to the inauguration from a Trump-side official. Along with him, Park Jeong-ha, who served as Han's chief of staff, and Han Ji-a, who was the senior spokesperson, were also invited to the ceremony but all decided not to attend.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is leaving after announcing his intention to resign from the party leadership on the 16th of last month at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Since stepping down from the party leadership on the 16th of last month, Han has been relatively inactive for nearly a month. However, on the 7th, multiple photos and a post appeared on Han's official fan cafe, 'Withhooni,' stating that he was seen the previous day at a Starbucks store in Gangnam, Seoul. In the photos, Han was wearing a neat black coat and smiling while ordering a drink. The author of the post said, "The representative looked comfortable and it was a relief to see he had gained some weight and looked well."

Meanwhile, rumors about Han's return in January have surfaced. After resigning from the party leadership, he had not been active on social media, but on the 27th of last month, when former People Power Party spokesperson Song Young-hoon posted on social media that he had been relieved of his spokesperson duties as of the 25th of this month, Han commented "Thank you," leading to speculation that he might resume activities soon. Furthermore, on the 29th of last month, Han posted on social media regarding the Jeju Air disaster, saying, "I hope the fire authorities do their best to save even one more person."

However, within the pro-Han faction, regarding the 'January return' rumors, it is stated that "nothing has been decided, but he is not in seclusion." On the 6th, Kim Jong-hyuk, a former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party and part of the pro-Han faction, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Jeonggyeok Sisa' and said about Han's possible resumption of political activities in January, "We are communicating with (Han), but he has not stated when or how he will come out. However, considering various factors, he will resume activities anyway. He will not just live in seclusion." Kim also said in a phone interview with YTN Radio on the 13th, "Han has never quit politics. He is just temporarily stepping back."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Meanwhile, in the People Power Party, floor leader Kwon Seong-dong was also invited to Trump's inauguration but decided not to attend. On the 10th, Kwon met James Kim, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, at the National Assembly and said, "I received the invitation and planned to attend, but given the uncertain and serious situation in Korean politics, it did not seem right for the floor leader to be absent, so I just canceled."

Some People Power Party lawmakers, including Na Kyung-won, Kim Dae-sik, and Jo Jeong-hoon, plan to attend the inauguration individually. It is reported that no members of the Democratic Party of Korea were invited to the ceremony. Representing the government, Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong to the U.S. and his spouse will attend, and from the business sector, Ryu Jin, chairman of the Korea Economic Association (chairman of Poongsan Group), Woo Oh-hyun, chairman of SM Group, and Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, are said to be attending.

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