Han Dong-hoon Says He Will Return to People Power Party to Rebuild Conservative Camp

[The Financial News] Former People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon declared, "With the power of the people and the power of citizens, I will return to the People Power Party." However, when asked about running in the June by-elections, he held back, saying it would be "premature."
Speaking on March 23 on YTN Radio's "Jang Sung-cheol's News Myeongdang," Han said, "The conservative camp needs to be rebuilt right now. Things have sunk to an embarrassing level," reiterating his stance.
Han also commented on the courts granting an injunction request by lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin and former supreme council member Kim Jong-hyuk to halt disciplinary measures imposed by the Central Ethics Committee of the Party. He remarked, "For a political party, having injunctions granted in succession like this seems about as likely as the end of the world." He went on, "The party leadership is only focused on using disciplinary measures and purge politics. It is neither just nor competent."
He also criticized the Nomination Management Committee of the People Power Party for cutting lawmaker Joo Ho-young and former Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission Lee Jin-sook from the shortlist in the Mayor of Daegu nomination race on March 22. "Under the Jang Dong-hyeok leadership, everyone already suspects and is convinced of the intentions behind this kind of cut-off," he argued.
Regarding the possibility that former chair Lee might run in a National Assembly by-election in the Daegu Metropolitan City area, Han pointed out, "It makes no sense to cut someone from the Mayor of Daegu race and then send that person to the National Assembly as a lawmaker."
On his decision not to run in the last general election, Han explained, "I believed some degree of self-sacrifice was necessary to achieve even a slightly better result in the general election. Without that, I judged that real leadership could not emerge." He added, "Perhaps because I chose not to run, even though I have now been expelled from the party, the public recognizes my sincerity. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world."
Previously, former People Power Party Emergency Measures Committee Chairman Kim Chong-in said he did not believe Han's recent actions were aimed at running in the June by-elections. Kim advised that, to establish himself as a political leader, Han should take more time and prepare further.
In response, Han said, "I will listen carefully to the many well-intentioned pieces of advice I receive." He continued, "At a time when it has not even been decided where I might run, talking about a June by-election bid seems premature. Rather than that, I intend to focus on rebuilding the conservative camp."
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter