Han Donghoon Surrounded by Anti-Impeachment Faction... Na Kyungwon and Ahn Cheolsoo Compete for Fourth Place

Fierce Debate over the Pro-Impeachment Controversy
People Power Party to Announce Final Four Candidates Tomorrow

The most striking scene from the first round of the People Power Party primary debate was the clear divide between the anti-impeachment (Bantan) and pro-impeachment (Chantan) factions. In particular, during the Group B debate, which had been dubbed the "group of death," former party leader Han Donghoon raised the issue of martial law, drawing concentrated attacks from the other candidates.

On April 19 and 20 at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Group A featured former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeongbok, and former lawmaker Yang Hyangja. Group B consisted of People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyungwon, North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheolwoo, former party leader Han Donghoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo.

The presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party are taking a commemorative photo before the Group B debate of the first round of the presidential primary held at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 20th. From the left, candidates Lee Cheolwoo, Na Kyungwon, Hong Junpyo, and Han Donghoon. April 20, 2025 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Former leader Han Donghoon targeted the anti-impeachment candidates, stating, "Although I oppose martial law, claiming it was merely a minor mistake is, in a broad sense, defending martial law." Former Mayor Hong Junpyo countered, "It was essentially a two-hour incident with no real damage." Lawmaker Na Kyungwon said, "Former leader Han incited impeachment by accusing others of rebellion, which ultimately led to this situation." Governor Lee Cheolwoo criticized, "Do you even have the right to say that? Isn't it wrong that you are running as our party's candidate in the first place?" The debate then saw a barrage of criticism directed at Han over issues such as the "traitor frame" and the "party member bulletin board controversy." In the later part of the debate, former Mayor Hong Junpyo made personal attacks against Han, mentioning "height-increasing shoes" and "shapewear."

The Group A debate saw a clash between anti-impeachment candidate former Minister Kim Moonsoo and pro-impeachment candidate lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo. When Ahn asked, "Did you apologize to the public as a cabinet member after the impeachment of former President Yoon?" Kim responded, "I never apologized," and argued, "It was because of the Democratic Party's repeated attempts at impeachment, which happened 30 times."

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After the debate, the confrontation continued outside the venue. On the previous day, lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo criticized the other candidates, except for pro-impeachment candidate Han Donghoon, on Facebook, telling them to "go to the Jeon Kwanghoon Party and hold your primary there."

The confrontation between pro- and anti-impeachment candidates is expected to continue in the upcoming primaries. Various opinion polls indicate that former Minister Kim Moonsoo, former leader Han Donghoon, and former Mayor Hong Junpyo are likely to make it to the top three, while lawmaker Na Kyungwon and lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo are competing for the remaining spot.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to conduct a primary poll targeting both its supporters and undecided voters, and will announce the four finalists at 7 p.m. on April 22.

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