Ruling party’s interim leader eyes post-election leadership
The nominations of proportional representation candidates by the ruling People Power Party’s interim leader Han Dong-hoon, along with his visit to the conservative stronghold of Daegu, indicate his efforts to step out of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s shadow and position himself as a potential candidate for the next presidential election, according to political analysts.
The discord between the interim leader and Yoon started when Han was accused of intentionally prioritizing or excluding from the candidate list figures loyal to the president, such as Joo Ki-hwan, a prosecutor-turned-politician known for his close ties with Yoon, and Jin Yanghye, a former TV announcer and close friend of first lady Kim Keon Hee. Joo was placed 24th on the list, a position that might not secure him a seat in the National Assembly. Consequently, he withdrew his candidacy in protest against the perceived disadvantage.
Instead, Han displayed favoritism toward those aligned with himself.
Kim Hyung-joon, a professor at Pai Chai University and former president of the Korean Association of Electoral Studies, said this kind of power struggle is common in elections.
“If Han wants to follow his independent political path, he should go his own way. Conflict with the presidential office is inevitable. A person who obeys the president without question does not have a future,” he said.
Park Chang-hwan, a political commentator, said, “Han is facing increasing calls to distinguish himself from President Yoon, who is already entering a lame duck phase. Han needs to reshape the party in its own image if he does not want to suffer the same fate as President Yoon.”
On Thursday, when the party’s election campaign began in earnest, the PPP interim leader went to Daegu, the stronghold of the conservative party, a move signaling that he is the new face of conservative party.
However, political analysts have noted that it remains to be seen whether Han will continue to lead the party after the April 10 general elections. They suggest that his leadership prospects hinge on the election results.