Handonghun's Book Concert Resembling a Send-off Ceremony: "We Need an Era Change, Not Just a Player Change"

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"I want to say that we must not just change the players, but change the era. Only then can we all build a better country."

The book concert held on the 5th by former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who published his book 'The People Come First,' resembled a send-off ceremony with cheers and applause from 200 attendees gathered through a lottery.

Even before Han entered the concert hall at the Youth Culture Space JU in Donggyo-dong, Seoul, hundreds of supporters lined up, chanting his name, "Han Dong-hoon."

Fifteen current lawmakers known as the Chinhan (Pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction, including Ko Dong-jin, Kwak Gyu-taek, Kim So-hee, Kim Sang-wook, Kim Ye-ji, Kim Tae-ho, Park Jeong-ha, Park Jeong-hoon, Bae Hyun-jin, Ahn Sang-hoon, Woo Jae-joon, Jeong Seong-guk, Jeong Yeon-wook, Jin Jong-oh, and Han Ji-a, as well as former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyeok and former spokesperson Yoon Hee-seok, greeted him with cheers of "Awesome" and "Thank you" and shook hands upon their arrival at the venue. The oldest attendees were grandmothers Hong Bong-ju, born in 1938, and Kwon Wol-hee, born in 1939.

Taking the stage, former leader Han recalled his words to supporters when he stepped down as party leader on December 16 last year: "Do not try to protect me. I will protect you. I will not give up." He announced the official resumption of his political activities by saying, "I will restart today's story from that moment."

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is speaking at a book concert commemorating the publication of his book "The People Come First" on March 5, 2025, at the Youth Culture Space JU in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

He emphasized that the 1987 system, based on the spirit of restraint, must be seen as the cause to overcome the December 3 emergency martial law incident under President Yoon Seok-yeol and the 29 impeachment attempts pursued by the Democratic Party and its leader Lee Jae-myung after the Yoon administration. Former leader Han stated that although both emergency martial law and impeachment are provided for in the Constitution, "the unspoken rule of restraint that neither side dared to cross has been broken," adding, "This time, we must change the era. Simply changing the players will only make us more brutal and vicious."

He reiterated that the 1987 Constitution, which was amended around the direct presidential election system, is difficult to respond to future challenges. Han said, "'Making the presidency a two-term system' and 'establishing a bicameral legislature' are important, but I believe we need to revise many parts to prepare for the AI era and a virtuous cycle of welfare and growth where everyone prospers, creating a constitution for 50 or 100 years."

He continued, "This time, we must succeed. I want to ask this question: Will you go through this again? If you do, there is no future for the Republic of Korea," which drew applause from the audience.

Regarding allegations of being a 'pro-China politician' surrounding him, he said, "Fake news and all kinds of distorted attacks are rampant from both camps. Until now, when attacks came, I tended to let them slide, but I will no longer do so."

He cited examples such as the revision of espionage law provisions, strengthening permanent residency requirements, reinforcing reciprocity in voting rights, and illegal stay crackdowns during his tenure as Minister of Justice, repeatedly asking who was behind these initiatives. When cheers erupted from the audience, former leader Han said, "From now on, I will refute these absurd claims one by one. If you are curious about me, ask me. I will answer," emphasizing his stance.

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is speaking at a book concert commemorating the publication of his book "The People Come First" on March 5, 2025, at the Youth Culture Space JU in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

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