Han Ji-ah, a member of the People Power Party and an associate of Han Dong-hoon, stated on the 11th that about 60% of those within the group believe that former People Power Party Representative Han Dong-hoon should run in the next party leadership election.
During a radio interview on SBS that morning, when asked about the possibility of former Representative Han running for party leader, Han said, “There are a lot of opinions coming from within (the group), with 6 saying ‘he should run’ and 4 saying ‘he absolutely should not’.”
Han noted, “Those saying he should not run are thinking politically in terms of a long-term roadmap for the individual. They are expressing that it would be tough if he runs again, given the party's current situation. As a minor opposition party, there will be growing pains in reform and innovation. We have to face the upcoming election in these unfortunate circumstances, and many believe that it will likely result in defeat. If that happens, the responsibility will fall on the party leader.”
He further explained, “The desire for him to run is due to former Representative Han’s advantages,” adding that “he is young, has a reformist image, made responsible choices regarding the impeachment and martial law, and has speaker power. These attributes should not be overlooked. Given the difficulties the party is facing, he should come out and once again express the will for reform and the upcoming election.”
He also mentioned, “He (former Representative Han) has made wise choices in front of various tough decisions thus far, so he is likely in deep thought.”
Regarding former candidate Kim Moon-soo, it is expected that he will run for party leader. Former Representative Han stated, “It seems that (former candidate Kim) will run,” adding, “The assertion that he has ‘no desire for party leadership’ does not mean he has ever stated that he will not run for party leader. Moreover, from his current actions, it seems he clearly has the intention to run for party leader.”
He then issued a caution regarding Kim’s candidacy. Han said, “The next party leader must be someone who is distanced from (former) President Yoon Seok-yeol. They need to clearly express their commitment to the reform plan and have resolved past issues, as few candidates can emerge as viable contenders for party leader there. Furthermore, Kim is still lingering in the past. He has not clearly stated his opposition to impeachment and has not drawn lines regarding former President Yoon,” he added.
He also stated, “This is a party convention where the survival of the party is at stake,” and added, “If former candidate Kim runs, I think the voices asking for former Representative Han to run that are currently at 6 will expand to 8 or 9 for the future.”
Regarding Kim Yong-tae’s five major reform proposals, while he agrees with the invalidation of the party's official stance against impeachment and issues related to candidate replacement waves, he emphasized that the next leadership must lead the party's reform.
Han highlighted, “The position of emergency committee chair is appointed,” and emphasized that “to achieve reforms at the level of founding the party, a strong elected party leader is necessary.”