[Interview] Yoon Sanghyun: "Lee Junseok and Han Donghoon Must Return to the Party and Unite" [Current Affairs Show]

"Democratic Party Likely to Pursue Impeachment of Cho Hui-dae"
"Jang Donghyuk Must Change—This is Earnest Advice"
"There’s Something Behind the 'Unofficial Line' of Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily "So Jongseop’s Current Affairs Show" (Monday–Friday, 4 PM)

■ Host: Political specialist So Jongseop ■ Director: PD Ma Yena

■ Guest: Yoon Sanghyun, Member of the People Power Party (September 22)

※ When quoting content from this article, please be sure to mention "So Jongseop’s Current Affairs Show."

So Jongseop: Hello, everyone. This is So Jongseop’s Current Affairs Show. As previously announced, we have Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun from the People Power Party joining us today to discuss a range of current issues. Assemblyman Yoon, you served as the chair of the National Investigation Special Committee on the Election Commission, correct? With the special prosecutors’ investigation underway, what do you see as the key issue?

Yoon Sanghyun: Regarding the special prosecution, you’ll recall the ballot paper shortage incident on June 3. The National Investigation Special Committee already established the general framework through its activities. We looked into why the ballot paper shortage happened, where decisions were made, and who should be held responsible. In the latest special prosecutor bill, we included all the issues that have been raised before. There are 2.47 million unused ballots at the Songpa Handball Stadium. I suggested opening those up for inspection. The special prosecutor said he would enter the Songpa Handball Stadium with a team of 14 and conduct optical inspections, even checking for ballot tampering, yet people including the party leadership are opposing it. I genuinely cannot understand that.

So Jongseop: I imagine you’ve faced significant criticism for taking that stance.

Yoon Sanghyun: That’s right. People are questioning why I’m trying to dig into this, but to be honest, even if we do, there’s nothing to hide. It would only vindicate the Election Commission. Public suspicion would dissipate. There has been no fraud or vote counting manipulation like the March 15 incident. We must not mislead the public, nor should we exploit public rage. That is why I proposed a public recount, but some party members opposed it. So, I asked the special prosecutor to make sure this issue is addressed and announced publicly, including this aspect in the core investigation items.

Yoon Sanghyun, a member of the People Power Party, appeared on the Asia Business Daily YouTube channel's "So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show" for an interview on the 22nd.

So Jongseop: You’re also considering holding a public debate regarding the election fraud allegations?

Yoon Sanghyun: Originally, I intended to do it this Monday, but the schedule didn’t work out. After the National Assembly audit, I’d like to hold a public debate. The right-wing is far too consumed with conspiracy theories. There’s too much absurd and false information, and people are so caught up—almost hypnotized—that the movement has devolved into a conspiracy, with YouTubers feeding off it, and politicians leveraging it. We need to air this out publicly, get to the bottom of it through a decisive debate. Rather than sweep the issue under the rug, I want us to discuss it openly and have the special prosecutor verify the facts. That’s the sincere intention behind all this.

So Jongseop: Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae has stated that he cannot comply with Blue House President Lee Jaemyung’s request for a re-nomination of Supreme Court justices.

Yoon Sanghyun: That’s only right. This is a constitutional issue. Under Article 104(2) of the Constitution, Supreme Court justices are to be nominated by the Chief Justice, appointed by the President, and confirmed by the National Assembly. The administration’s argument is that the President, as the elected official, has real appointment authority, and you—meaning the Chief Justice—have only a formal right to nominate, so just do as the President wishes. But that’s not how this works.

We are a liberal democratic republic. Our Constitution sets out the separation of powers. The President’s appointment authority, the National Assembly’s confirmation authority, and the Chief Justice's right to nominate candidates must all be respected equally. Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae’s position is that if the President refuses his nomination, he will reconstitute the committee and nominate other candidates. That’s inevitable, and this is the only proper constitutional interpretation.

So Jongseop: So you believe Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae will form a new nomination committee to recommend Supreme Court justices?

Yoon Sanghyun: That’s my view. There’s a rule that the committee must be formed every time candidates are to be recommended. The Blue House’s stance is to pick one from the three existing nominees, but that’s not appropriate. The practice of negotiating with the President over this is fundamentally flawed. Constitutionally, it is only necessary to submit a nomination.

So Jongseop: We’re now seeing a direct confrontation between the Supreme Court and the Blue House. How should this be resolved going forward?

Yoon Sanghyun: If things progress like this, the Democratic Party might even attempt impeachment. Impeachment is only warranted in the event of grave violations of the Constitution and the law. Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae has committed no such violation. If things reach that point, the office would be left vacant—he could be suspended from duty. In the upcoming National Assembly audit, they plan to call him as a witness, and talk of impeachment will surely surface, likely to embarrass him, using that as an excuse to push for his suspension. I don’t see an amicable solution in sight.

Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun criticized the Blue House's personnel verification system, saying, "The personnel appointments have turned into a mess."

So Jongseop: With the withdrawals of Kim Seungwon and Yong Hyein from nomination, there is growing criticism of the Blue House personnel appointments, and Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik has also offered his resignation. Now, there are also talks about Chief of Staff Kim Hyunji and former Chief Jeong Jinsang. What are your thoughts?

Yoon Sanghyun: There’s a saying, “Personnel appointments are everything,” but now they’ve become a complete mess. Who recommended these people, and who vetted them? There’s been completely opaque screening, and the person responsible, Chief Kang, has stepped down. There is a problem with the personnel verification system. Frankly, I don’t even know the names of the personnel and civil affairs chiefs. The personnel secretary Kim Yongchae and the civil affairs secretary Jun Chiyoung—whose line do they belong to? It’s said they are part of the Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang line. Looking at the President’s personnel appointments, last time, Assemblyman Kim Namguk mentioned “Hunshik hyung” and “Hyunji nuna,” and former Democratic Party spokesperson Seo Yongju said, “Personnel is all about Kim Hyunji.” That means personnel matters now flow entirely through Kim Hyunji.

It is problematic for someone not in an official line to direct personnel like this. Kim Hyunji, as a subordinate chief, is not even part of the official personnel line, but she’s reportedly recommending, discovering, vetting candidates, and even reporting to the President. That’s a strong suspicion. Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik took responsibility, but that is only the first step in determining accountability. We must clarify the chain of responsibility for these personnel fiascoes. Making sure unofficial lines are not at work—that is what serves the President. Consider former President Park Geun-hye; many personnel recommendations went through Choi Soon-sil, which was only revealed later. This unfolds the same way. You only discover it after the administration ends, never when they are in power.

So Jongseop: People within the People Power Party are demanding that those involved should be summoned as witnesses for the National Assembly inspection, correct?

Yoon Sanghyun: For now, there’s not enough to demand their resignation outright. Unless there are recordings or other definitive evidence, it's difficult to actually summon former Chief Jeong Jinsang and Chief of Staff Kim Hyunji to testify at the National Assembly due to numbers. Even if we want to, it will be hard to actually see it through.

So Jongseop: Do you really see Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang as problematic?

Yoon Sanghyun: The unofficial line has always dominated. I am certain there is something there. During the vetting process, suspicions—including lobbying to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and drunk driving allegations—were glossed over simply because they were close associates. Who are those close associates? In the end, it likely connects to the unofficial line. That’s the most reasonable explanation for why thorough vetting didn’t happen.

Representative Yoon Sanghyun predicted regarding the 'Kim Hyunji and Jeong Jinsang power faction rumor,' saying, "The unofficial line has always been dominant. There must be something."

So Jongseop: What is your assessment of the Lee Jaemyung administration’s policy toward the United States, such as the Hormuz deployment issue?

Yoon Sanghyun: The fundamental thing to remember is that the United States is an ally. Over 37,000 Americans died in the Korean War, and more than 100,000 were injured. Young American soldiers shed blood and gave their lives in a country they hadn’t even heard of, for the sake of the alliance. They fought alongside us for the values of liberty and democracy. So, when they ask for assistance, we need to give it serious consideration. We can’t only calculate our own interests; Korea-U.S. relations must be considered in the context of both alliance and national interest.

In February, there was talk of sending troops to the Hormuz Strait. We have the Cheonghae Unit stationed in the Gulf of Aden. I first proposed that, even if just symbolically, we should redeploy them to the vicinity of Hormuz. Now, this administration wants to act, but Democratic Party members insist on requiring approval from the National Assembly. They ask for rights to enrich uranium, to revise the nuclear cooperation agreement, to build nuclear submarines, but the U.S. makes no clear commitment. Australia has already started, so why not us? There’s also no progress with North Korea. We must establish a firm "package deal" approach, keeping timing in mind, from both an alliance and national interest perspective. There should be bipartisan cooperation, forming a task force to listen to both sides for improving Korea-U.S. relations. That’s what I believe is crucial.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Dongju Yoon

So Jongseop: You have been pushing for change, innovation, and unity from Leader Jang Donghyuk, correct?

Yoon Sanghyun: My criticism comes from care—a sincere wish to see Leader Jang Donghyuk do well. I have never once said he should step down or resign. I advised before and after the election that he should be the driving force behind change, innovation, and unity in the party. Things are moving in the opposite direction now. My hope is that he leads the party well, permitting its growth. I want the party to move in the direction of transformation, innovation, and unity, not discipline and exclusion. People keep talking about “party sentiment,” but instead of tying the ship down in the small harbor of party sentiment, we should venture into the wide ocean of public sentiment. I understand the anger on the streets, but let’s resolve these issues through the system and look toward the future. Let’s replace subtractive politics with additive politics, steer the party toward being values-oriented, and focus on appealing to the moderates, the youth, and the Seoul metropolitan region.

That’s in the best interest of Leader Jang Donghyuk. But it isn’t being embraced. The same goes for President Yoon Suk-yeol. I address Leader Jang with full sincerity, not out of dislike.

So Jongseop: Despite many people, including yourself, and much media criticism, Leader Jang Donghyuk has made little progress, wouldn’t you say?

Yoon Sanghyun: That’s right. This is why a new, organized power base is necessary. Many lawmakers share this view but hesitate to express it publicly. I issue criticisms from sincere motives because I believe that’s far more helpful to the party leader.

So Jongseop: How do you feel about Assemblyman Han Donghoon's potential rejoining of the party?

Yoon Sanghyun: The right must unite. Not only Han Donghoon, but also Lee Junseok—we must ultimately seek reunification and integration. That’s my basic philosophy. We should not only add, but multiply, if we are to revive Korea. For this, we must embrace Assemblyman Han Donghoon, and for him to be part of that, all of us—myself, former President Yoon, Leader Jang—need to show repentance and a sense of responsibility. The responsibility for the failures of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration does not fall solely on Yoon personally. We all share joint responsibility; we are all collectively at fault. I suggest that Assemblyman Han Donghoon—and all lawmakers—should openly admit their faults to the public, and that we should grant each other forgiveness. Let’s all gather in the National Assembly Rotender Hall, kneel together, and ask the people for forgiveness. That’s the kind of leadership I want to see from Leader Jang Donghyuk. Imagine how much public applause that would receive.

So Jongseop: Thank you for sharing your insights on a variety of issues, Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun. I know you’re busy, so thank you for joining us today.

Yoon Sanghyun: Yes, thank you very much.

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