[Report] Han Dong-hoon Greets on First Commute in Yeouido... Takes Selfies with Citizens

"This is Park Yong-chan from the People Power Party. Greetings this morning together with Chairman Han Dong-hoon!" Around 8 a.m. on the 25th, Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, wearing a red jumper, repeatedly bowed his head to office workers pouring out in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station in Seoul. Park Yong-chan, the People Power Party candidate running in Yeongdeungpo-gu Eul, also energetically shouted slogans and greeted the citizens. Passing office workers, seemingly curious, filmed Chairman Han with their smartphones as they walked by. Some citizens approached Chairman Han to request selfies and handshakes. Chairman Han bowed his head even to the citizens who cheered him on while taking selfies.

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is greeting citizens on their way to work in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station in Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

원본보기 아이콘

Until now, Chairman Han, who had mainly met citizens at traditional markets in the provinces, conducted his first morning greeting on the way to work since taking office as the emergency committee chairman. However, unlike the markets where it was difficult to move due to being surrounded by citizens, most office workers seemed busy on their way to work and headed to their workplaces without much reaction. Occasionally, some citizens shouted "Han Dong-hoon fighting" as they passed by. Chairman Han conducted the morning greeting for about 20 minutes and then headed to the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido for his next schedule.

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is greeting citizens on their way to work in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station in Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

원본보기 아이콘

The reactions of Yeouido office workers were mixed. Jeon (40, male), who works in the financial sector, said, "The government seems to have a high interest in the capital market, such as announcing a value-up program to revitalize the stock market, so I view it positively," adding, "I hope that the presidential office and the People Power Party maintain continuous interest through close cooperation, not just a flash during the general election." On the other hand, Park (42, female), an office worker, emphasized, "These days, the investment market is dry and money is not circulating," and said, "Company representatives are going around borrowing money, so if the economy does not recover, it will be difficult to support the current government."

An Industrial Bank labor union member is being restrained after protesting against Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, who was greeting citizens on their way to work in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station in Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

원본보기 아이콘

There was also a commotion during the morning greeting. Officials from the Korea Development Bank opposing the relocation to Busan approached Chairman Han during his morning greeting and shouted, "Why are you relocating the Korea Development Bank?" Chairman Han replied, "Relocation is definitely our pledge." Kim Hyun-joon, the chairman of the Korea Development Bank labor union who shouted loudly, was restrained by the police. Some YouTubers expressed dissatisfaction to Chairman Kim, saying, "Go talk to Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party." After the commotion, Chairman Han continued his morning greeting with a blank expression.

Chairman Kim said, "When (Chairman Han) went down to Busan, he asked why the Korea Development Bank was being relocated to Busan, but there was no explanation at all," adding, "Please provide clear grounds for the relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan. We are willing to have a discussion." He also said, "I feel complicated about being dragged out," and "I will continue to speak out (against the relocation of the Korea Development Bank)."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.