Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, has turned against independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon. The two lawmakers clashed directly over the order to gather at the party headquarters during the emergency martial law on December 3. Ahn's public declaration of opposition to Han's return adds uncertainty to Han's plans.
During a press conference on July 12, Ahn stated, "If Han returns, the entire party will fall into factional conflict and destructive infighting, making it impossible to even think about winning the general election," and he firmly opposed Han's return to the People Power Party. He added, "If Han is considering starting a new party, I would support that, but I hope he stays away from our party."
Ahn's shift from previously being favorable toward Han's return appears to be influenced by the ongoing dispute over the truth surrounding the order to gather at the party headquarters during the emergency martial law. After the press conference, Ahn told reporters, "I had to prepare a lot because I need to speak only the truth in the trial of Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho. However, Han attacked me, claiming I distorted the facts. This is not right."
Earlier, Ahn testified in court on July 8, recalling, "I remember that it was Han, who was the party leader at the time, who first ordered us to gather at the party headquarters on the day of the emergency martial law." In response, Han reaffirmed his actions during the martial law and warned, "I will respond firmly to any attempts to distort the facts."
In this context, Ahn's press conference raised concerns and opposition regarding Han's return. He criticized pro-Han lawmakers within the party, stating, "Attacking, mocking, and vilifying senior party members is clearly an act against the party."
This conflict is likely to disrupt Han's plans to return to the People Power Party. The pro-Han faction has been attacking party leadership figures like Jang Dong-hyuk while trying to facilitate Han's return. Han himself has expressed his intention to return, stating, "When I was expelled, my first words were, 'I will definitely come back.'"
However, under the 'Jang Dong-hyuk regime,' returning is not an easy prospect. On July 10, Jang indicated that Han's expulsion was due to criminal acts, not just party violations, suggesting he has no intention of facilitating Han's return. Consequently, political analysts believe the pro-Han faction may aim to dismantle Jang's leadership before taking time to push for Han's return. However, with Ahn, a leading candidate for the next party leadership, opposing Han's return, the assumption that a new leadership could facilitate Han's return is now in question.
During a press conference on July 12, Ahn stated, "If Han returns, the entire party will fall into factional conflict and destructive infighting, making it impossible to even think about winning the general election," and he firmly opposed Han's return to the People Power Party. He added, "If Han is considering starting a new party, I would support that, but I hope he stays away from our party."
Ahn's shift from previously being favorable toward Han's return appears to be influenced by the ongoing dispute over the truth surrounding the order to gather at the party headquarters during the emergency martial law. After the press conference, Ahn told reporters, "I had to prepare a lot because I need to speak only the truth in the trial of Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho. However, Han attacked me, claiming I distorted the facts. This is not right."
Earlier, Ahn testified in court on July 8, recalling, "I remember that it was Han, who was the party leader at the time, who first ordered us to gather at the party headquarters on the day of the emergency martial law." In response, Han reaffirmed his actions during the martial law and warned, "I will respond firmly to any attempts to distort the facts."
In this context, Ahn's press conference raised concerns and opposition regarding Han's return. He criticized pro-Han lawmakers within the party, stating, "Attacking, mocking, and vilifying senior party members is clearly an act against the party."
This conflict is likely to disrupt Han's plans to return to the People Power Party. The pro-Han faction has been attacking party leadership figures like Jang Dong-hyuk while trying to facilitate Han's return. Han himself has expressed his intention to return, stating, "When I was expelled, my first words were, 'I will definitely come back.'"
However, under the 'Jang Dong-hyuk regime,' returning is not an easy prospect. On July 10, Jang indicated that Han's expulsion was due to criminal acts, not just party violations, suggesting he has no intention of facilitating Han's return. Consequently, political analysts believe the pro-Han faction may aim to dismantle Jang's leadership before taking time to push for Han's return. However, with Ahn, a leading candidate for the next party leadership, opposing Han's return, the assumption that a new leadership could facilitate Han's return is now in question.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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