Ahn Cheol-soo Firmly Opposes Han Dong-hoon's Reinstatement: "Martial Law Lift, Is It a One-Man Heroic Tale for Han?"

Dispute Intensifies Over 'Order to Gather at Party Headquarters' at Press Conference

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, has declared his opposition to the reinstatement of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, with whom he has been engaged in a heated dispute over recent testimony in court regarding the December 3 Martial Law. Ahn stated, "Do not even think about coming near our party," making clear his objection to Han's return.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, held a press conference opposing the readmission of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon to the People Power Party at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

On July 12 at the National Assembly, Assemblyman Ahn held a press conference and said, "It was by no means Assemblyman Han alone who stopped the martial law, so why should the history of that day be remembered solely as a heroic narrative about Han Dong-hoon?"

Previously, on July 8, Assemblyman Ahn appeared as a witness at the trial of Daegu Mayor Chu Kyung-ho (who was the floor leader of the People Power Party at the time of the martial law), who is accused of obstructing the vote to lift martial law. Ahn testified, "I understand that the first person to notify People Power Party lawmakers to gather at party headquarters instead of the National Assembly was Han Dong-hoon, who was the party leader at the time." In response, Han Dong-hoon strongly refuted this as "false agitation."

Regarding this, Assemblyman Ahn criticized Han Dong-hoon and lawmakers close to him, stating, "They attacked, mocked, and denounced a senior member of their own party who testified to the facts in court. Defining colleagues within the party as enemies and focusing on swaying public opinion is not only defamation of individuals but also a clear act of betrayal against the party." He continued, "If things are already like this when Han is outside the party, it is obvious what will happen if he is reinstated. The entire party will fall into factional conflict and an exhausting internal war, and any hope of victory in the general election will be out of reach, leading to a catastrophic situation."

He also commented on reports that the party's ethics committee is reviewing disciplinary measures against some lawmakers close to Han who directly or indirectly assisted Han's campaign as an independent, saying, "Given that our party already had nominated candidates, there needs to be some resolution regarding the issue of party members supporting an independent candidate."

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