Han Dong-hoon Takes on Active Election Support After Yoon Suk-yeol's Resignation

Former representative of the People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, is stepping out from the shadow of former President Yoon Suk-yeol to actively support the election.

Shortly after Yoon's announcement of leaving the party, Han revealed his plan to campaign on-site for presidential candidate Kim Mun-soo.

Although he is still keeping a distance from joining the election campaign committee requested by the former ruling party, the very fact that Han is taking action is raising expectations for the consolidation of conservative support and the expansion of the centrist electorate.

On the 17th, Han announced on his Facebook, "Next week, I will meet with the people in the field." This indicates his determination to move away from his previous activities centered around YouTube live broadcasts and social media, opting instead to meet voters directly.

However, it is reported that joining the election campaign committee is still not under consideration.

Han has previously set forth what he calls the 'three conditions' for joining the campaign committee, which include opposition to the martial law, a break from former President Yoon and his wife, and delineating lines with far-right groups.

A source from Han's side explained to News1, "He is saying he will participate in on-site campaigning, but he is not joining the campaign committee," adding, "It will be more of an independent support campaign rather than traveling with candidate Kim."

Yoon Suk-yeol's Departure: A Turning Point for Han Dong-hoon's Actions

In political circles, it is widely interpreted that former President Yoon's resignation significantly impacted Han's participation in campaigning.

On the 17th, Yoon declared his voluntary resignation from the party, and on the same day, Seok Dong-hyun, the head of the Civil Society Special Committee and Yoon's long-time legal representative during the impeachment trial, also stepped down amid controversy.

Han is expected to strongly criticize the Democratic Party's attempts to 'manipulate the judiciary' during his campaign.

Recently, on Facebook, he harshly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "The criminal procedure law (to suspend Lee Jae-myung's trial) and the public election law (to remove the basis for Lee Jae-myung's punishment), which Lee Jae-myung's party is pushing through like local gangsters, are clear violations of the constitution."

Expectations for Expanding Support Base and Consolidating Support Among Conservatives

Within the People Power Party, there is growing optimism that Han's support will yield positive effects in both expanding their support base and consolidating their core supporters.

Han has been classified as part of the 'non-Yoon' faction amid the controversy surrounding the martial law and the impeachment period, and is regarded as a politician with 'centrist expansion potential' within the party. He also secured a substantial support base, receiving over 40% in the recent primaries.

Kim Yong-tae, the chair of the emergency committee, responded to Han's campaign participation by saying, "Since he mentioned that he will start campaigning in the field from next week, I'll be reaching out to him directly in the field."

Moreover, if the election support from Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is realized, there are speculations that internal party restructuring may effectively reach its conclusion.

It has been reported that lawmakers Yoo Sang-bum and Kim Dae-sik, considered close allies of Mayor Hong, and Lee Seong-bae, spokesperson for the campaign committee, have departed for Hawaii to meet Mayor Hong.

Image source: Kim Mun-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, embraced Han Dong-hoon during the 5th National Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on May 3, 2025./News1, Former President Yoon Suk-yeol / News1, Kim Yong-tae, chair of the emergency committee of the People Power Party, speaks at the on-site meeting of the Central Election Committee for Gwangju, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam held at Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju on the morning of May 17, 2025./News1