Han Donghoon: "People Power Party Has Lost Legitimacy to Check Lee Jaemyung... I Will Set Things Right in the National Assembly" [Local Election Interview]

"It is not a conservative split... Party leadership's actions are 'irrational'"

"High approval ratings for the Lee administration... A result of failed oversight"

"Why am I not being summoned to the special investigation on the withdrawal of prosecution?"

"Ha Jeongwoo's 'Physical AI'? A pledge centered on himself, not the region"

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party and candidate in the Buk-gu Gap by-election in Busan, emphasized, "The leadership faction of the People Power Party, which has shown no genuine reflection on their defense of martial law, has lost its legitimacy to hold the Lee Jaemyung administration in check," adding, "If elected to the National Assembly, I will fulfill the role of keeping the administration in check."

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily on May 3 at a café in Gupo-dong, Buk-gu, Busan, Han asked, "Is the Lee Jaemyung administration's high approval rating really because they are doing a good job?" He argued, "It's because there is no effective mechanism of checks and balances in place."

He defined this by-election not simply as a local race but as "the starting point for rebuilding the conservative camp." He expressed his intent to correct the People Power Party leadership and to lead robust oversight and criticism of the administration.

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

Han stated, "Currently, the leadership faction of the People Power Party does not have the qualification to keep the government in check, which is why their words fall on deaf ears. I have always lived with integrity and have been at the forefront of opposing martial law." He continued, "Once I enter the National Assembly, I will properly fulfill the role of criticism and oversight, and when that function works as it should, conservatism will be rebuilt."

He also strongly criticized the President regarding the 'special prosecutor for withdrawal of prosecution.' He said, "If the withdrawal of prosecution is forcibly carried out, it could become grounds for impeachment," and sharpened his criticism, saying, "The President is using his position to completely undermine democracy and the rule of law in Korea." He also questioned, "Why am I not being summoned to the National Assembly investigation into the withdrawal of prosecution?"

Regarding his opponent's pledges, he pointed out the disconnect with local realities and intensified his criticism. He further criticized the Lee Jaemyung administration's complacent response for leaving the post of chief policy officer vacant in an era that calls for an 'AI golden time.' Regarding Ha Jeongwoo, the Democratic Party candidate's "Physical AI" pledge, he stated, "He's completely missed the mark," and pointed out, "He is force-fitting a local agenda to highlight his own strengths." He said, "While everyone agrees on the importance of Physical AI, there are no factories or port facilities in Buk-gu Gap where this could be applied," and added, "Talking about Physical AI as a replacement for labor could actually be at odds with the lives of Buk-gu residents."

He continued, "What has candidate Ha accomplished in the last 10 months as the Blue House chief of staff for AI and future planning? The global AI golden time hasn't suddenly shrunk to 10 months. If it was truly an important issue, it should be addressed at the national level as a chief of staff, not at Gupo Market in Busan."

Regarding his candidacy in Buk-gu Gap, he revealed his plan to make the district a top-priority area not just in Busan but nationwide. He said, "Politics is about setting priorities. Until now, Buk-gu has been pushed to the back among Busan's 18 districts," and added, "Through recent campaign activities, we have achieved some success in raising the profile of Buk-gu nationwide." He emphasized, "Now, we need fundamental solutions to attract both people and capital."

The following is a Q&A with former leader Han.

-You have been raising your voice against President Lee Jaemyung's withdrawal of prosecution.

▲If the prosecution against President Lee Jaemyung is withdrawn, that is grounds for impeachment. Historically, systems have been established to prevent those in power from covering up their own faults at will. But now, the President seems intent on destroying the entire prosecution process simply to avoid punishment. Shaking this system just because one is President is crossing a line. It fundamentally undermines democracy and the rule of law. Why is there no one in the Democratic Party stopping this? Why am I not being summoned to the National Assembly investigation regarding the withdrawal of prosecution?

-What kind of actions do you expect from the ruling camp?

▲The interests of the President and the Democratic Party are inevitably different. The Democratic Party may think it just needs to endure for five years. They might even see holding this vulnerability as an advantage in maintaining party leadership. However, for the President, it is not just about five years. That is why he will try to push this through while he has the most power. The People Power Party leadership is failing to provide proper oversight, which is why the administration thinks it can still win. That is absolutely wrong. That would be a denial of the Republic of Korea itself.

-There is criticism that the conservative camp is too weak in its oversight.

▲That is why rebuilding the conservative camp is necessary. I feel a sense of responsibility to secure a victory in Buk-gu Gap and spark that beginning. Recently, there has been a saying that "the best helper for the Democratic Party is Jang Donghyuk," which people used to laugh at, but now, no one is laughing anymore.

-Isn't the real problem the division within the conservative camp?

▲To call it division, there needs to be some validity on both sides. That is not the case now. Whether in Seoul, Busan, or Daegu, the answer is the same. The Jang Donghyuk leadership is on the wrong path—behaving irrationally. We are beyond the stage of 'division.' If things continue like this, the public will be lost, as even polls indicate. The expressions of the candidates and voters on the ground speak for themselves.

-Weren't you the one who first appointed Jang as interim leader at the end of 2023?

▲I will not make lengthy excuses. At the time, I was suddenly put in charge of the party, and the situation regarding the President (martial law and impeachment, etc.) was complicated. Most of the senior lawmakers I asked to serve declined, so I had to form a system in a short period. I did not know him well enough at the time. I believe the public and the media have already made their judgments since then. It's regrettable.

-What is your strategy for uniting moderate conservatives?

▲Ultimately, it is about sincerity—keeping promises and demonstrating common-sense politics. Citizens have already reached that standard of common sense, while the political circle lags behind. This election marks the starting point for highlighting that gap. If I win here, it will clearly demonstrate the need for checks on the administration and put a stop to poor party management.

-You often mention former President Kim Youngsam in relation to conservative rebuilding. What is the significance of the political message from YS?

▲Busan is the very heart of conservatism. When public sentiment turns against someone, they are decisively pushed aside; if someone promises to do things right, they are strongly supported. That "clarity" matches me. The last time a conservative President came from Busan, which led the Nakdong River front line, was in 1992. YS was a politician who combined principle and flexibility, and through the real-name financial system and the purge of Hanahoe, he elevated the country. The YS spirit is exactly what conservatism needs today.

On June 3rd, Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party who declared his independent candidacy for the by-election in Buk-gu Gap, Busan, conducted an interview with The Asia Business Daily at a small business store near Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

-If you are elected to the National Assembly, what are your plans?

▲There is much to do. Is the high approval rating of the Lee Jaemyung administration really because of competence? No. It is because they are not being held in check. The current People Power Party leadership lacks persuasiveness no matter what it says. Because there has been no reflection on their defense of martial law, nothing they say is legitimate. It is not an issue of ability but of qualification. I took the lead in blocking martial law, and that is a clear difference. Once in the National Assembly, I will properly fulfill the role of oversight. That is the beginning of conservative rebuilding.

-There are claims that your image as an elite prosecutor does not fit with the local sentiment in Buk-gu.

▲Buk-gu has always ranked low among Busan's 18 districts. It is time to change that order. It is a good place to live, but it has not received proper recognition. In the end, the evaluation should not be about "who did better" but about "whether this place has become a better place to live." I can lead the changes needed to make Buk-gu the top priority in Busan. In that sense, I am someone who fits Buk-gu better than anyone else.

-This is your first election. How do you feel meeting residents directly?

▲As a local and national politician, I believe supporters expect something from me. Ultimately, those two expectations will converge. One structural issue I have noticed while meeting residents is Busan's population decline—especially the more serious aging issue in Buk-gu. In the end, we need to attract both people and capital. Political pledges have been too trivial, such as installing elevators. Now, fundamental solutions are needed. I am considering specific plans to make Buk-gu the center of Busan, and further, the center of Korea.

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

-Why do you think Buk-gu has always been pushed down in priority?

▲Politics is about setting priorities. Buk-gu has long been pushed back in that order. The politicians who were supposed to represent the local residents did not perform their role properly. But now it is time to change. Through this campaign, I have succeeded in raising awareness of Buk-gu nationwide and attracting attention. This is just the starting point. I am confident that I can make Buk-gu the top district in Busan and Korea.

-The Democratic Party is fielding Jeon Jae-soo and Ha Jeongwoo as a running-mate pair, and there are talks of nominations in the People Power Party as well. As an independent candidate, this must be a tough race.

▲I came down to Buk-gu with the determination to give it my all, even if it means political defeat. I am the kind of politician whose career would end the day I tell a lie. I promise the residents of Buk-gu that I will stay here until the end. I minimize my entourage and deliberately campaign alone so I can make eye contact with every citizen. Here, I will be even more attentive to the needs of the people than Jeon Jae-soo himself.

-What are your thoughts on candidate Ha Jeongwoo?

▲Candidate Ha mentioned Physical AI in his campaign announcement, but he has missed the mark. Buk-gu is not an area with factories or ports where Physical AI could be applied. Instead of adapting himself to the region, he is trying to impose what he is good at onto the region. If he wants to talk only about AI here, he should remain as a chief of staff at the Blue House. Talking about AI should be done at the national level, not at Gupo Market.

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