Han Donghoon Criticizes Hong Joonpyo: "Even If He Defects to the Democratic Party, They Won't Accept Him" for Defending Jeong Wono

Han Donghoon: "I Will Stop Tyranny with a Victory in Buk-gap"

Political Circles: "By-election Is a Prelude to the Seoul Mayoral Race"

On May 18, Han Donghoon, an independent candidate running in the Busan Buk-gap National Assembly by-election, strongly criticized former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, stating, "The Democratic Party called former Mayor Hong 'dignified,'" and added, "Deserter Hong is effectively 'defecting to North Korea' by siding with the Democratic Party." He further asserted, "But even there, they will not accept former Mayor Hong."

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, who declared his independent candidacy for the June 3 by-election in Buk-gu Gap, Busan, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at a small business store near Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan, on the 3rd. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Han's remarks came in response to former Mayor Hong's recent comments, which appeared to defend Jeong Wono, the Democratic Party candidate whose past violent criminal record has become a key issue in the Seoul mayoral race.

Previously, former Mayor Hong commented on candidate Jeong's so-called "drunken violence" case, saying, "It is truly unfortunate to make a vague incident from over 30 years ago an election issue," and, "Negative campaigning always shakes up the race, but in the end, those meant to win will win." This was interpreted as pushing back against the claims raised by the campaign of Oh Sehoon, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, regarding Jeong's criminal record.

According to court records, in October 1995, candidate Jeong, while intoxicated at a cafe in Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, assaulted a person sitting next to him, as well as police officers who responded to the scene. In July 1996, the Southern Branch of the Seoul District Court sentenced Jeong to a fine of 3 million won for violating the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts and for obstructing official duties. On May 16, candidate Jeong referenced former Mayor Hong's remarks, saying, "Candidate Oh should learn the dignity of conservatism from former Mayor Hong." He also stated, "Political scheming is a crime," and added, "I hope the Seoul mayoral election will become a competition based on policy, as former leader Hong urged."

Last year, Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party presidential primary candidate, and Hong Joon-pyo, another People Power Party presidential primary candidate, are posing at the media day of the second primary debate held at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

In response, candidate Oh said, "The most dignified election campaign in democratic politics is debate," and, "Don't just talk about competing on policy—participate in debates." This was aimed at the fact that candidate Jeong has not participated in any TV debates except for one legally mandated debate. Candidate Oh further commented, "Let's show the people dignified politics through debate," and, "Avoiding debate is the lowest form of politics." Political observers analyze that this dispute is turning the Seoul mayoral election into a proxy battle amid internal conflicts within the conservative camp, forming a structure of "Jeong Wono and Hong Joonpyo vs. Oh Sehoon and Han Donghoon."

After losing the People Power Party presidential primary last year, Hong Joonpyo left the party and announced his retirement from politics. Subsequently, during this local election period, he publicly endorsed Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party's candidate for Daegu mayor, and recently, ahead of a closed-door meeting with President Lee Jae-myung, said, "I hope to spend the rest of my life with passion for the country."

Park Junghoon, a People Power Party lawmaker identified as pro-Han, also targeted former Mayor Hong via Facebook on the same day. Park stated, "He is collaborating here and there in hopes of receiving a position in the Lee Jae-myung administration," and criticized, "Is the Democratic Party under Lee Jae-myung using former Mayor Hong to destroy the conservatives?" Within and outside the People Power Party, there are projections that the Seoul mayoral race, considered the most hotly contested battleground in the June 3 local elections, could become the watershed for a realignment of the conservative political landscape. Candidate Oh, following previous collaborations with former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin and Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, is also seeking to jointly counter the Democratic Party with lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo. A People Power Party official commented, "There is a possibility that the conservative camp's political landscape will be reorganized after the local elections."

Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, who declared his independent candidacy for the June 3 by-election for the Buk-gu Gap National Assembly seat in Busan, visited Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan, on the 3rd to greet residents. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Meanwhile, candidate Han continued with strong rhetoric at the launch ceremony for his Busan Buk-gap election campaign committee the previous day. He declared, "I will secure victory, wear the National Assembly badge, and smash the Democratic Party's abuse of power and tyranny, such as dismissing indictments." Han said, "We must stop those who attempt to destroy the Constitution and dismiss indictments to erase their own crimes," and asserted, "If I win the Buk-gap by-election, the Lee Jae-myung administration won't even dare to consider dismissing indictments." He went on, "Buk-gu has not developed during the past 20 years when candidate Park Minsik and candidate Jeon Jaesu served as National Assembly members. Since I arrived in Buk-gap a month ago, the atmosphere in the region has changed, and both people and money are gathering here."

Finally, he stated, "I also blocked former President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law. If former President Yoon attempts to dismiss indictments, I will stop that as well. Our hands are clean. That is why our words sting them." He emphasized, "If Han Donghoon wins in Busan Buk-gap, it means the conservatives will regain their right to speak. Our victory will become a symbol of definitely stopping the Lee Jae-myung administration's reckless actions."

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