PPP skipper says he's fully focused on general election

"I have said before that I have not thought about my life after April 10," Han Dong-hoon said at the Kwanhun Club, a journalist association, in Seoul on Wednesday. "And I say it with 100 percent sincerity."

People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon, second from left, makes a speach at a Kwanhun Club, a journalist association, forum held in Seoul on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

The interim leader of the People Power Party (PPP), Han Dong-hoon, said he is entirely focused on the upcoming election and has no plan beyond it.

"I have said before that I have not thought about my life after April 10," Han said at the Kwanhun Club, a journalist association, in Seoul on Wednesday. "And I say it with 100 percent sincerity."

Han added that he will step down immediately if he fails to reach his goal in the election.

"Just a couple of months ago, I never imagined that my life would be where it is today," Han said.

Han said he agreed with those who had cautioned him against assuming party leadership, warning that he might be exploited.

However, he said that he chose to lead the party to prevent potential abuses of power by the Democratic Party (DP), which holds the majority of seats.

"I think the DP leader Lee Jae-myung will further strengthen the dictatorial assembly fueled by die-hard supporters’ totalitarianism and the special interest group of long-time activists and make the country and fellow citizens suffer," Han said.

"I based my decision on whether to accept the interim leadership on whether becoming the head of the party would help prevent this from happening."

"The victory in the general election is not solely for the PPP, but for the entire country," Han said. "I believe it is important and necessary for our nation and fellow citizens.”

Han said he was confident in leading the party to victory with the implemented changes.

"The PPP, under my leadership, will distinguish itself from the past in terms of our responsibility and response," Han said. "We are actively embracing change."

Han emphasized that the party, backed by the government, is committed to fulfilling campaign promises and avoiding deception with unrealistic pledges.

"If the people offer rational criticism or express discomfort on an issue, we will respond quickly and transparently, rather than delaying or suppressing it as in the past," Han said. "We will collaborate with the government to make decisive decisions."

He also said that the PPP has taken significant steps towards relinquishing special privileges as politicians.

"We are dedicated to achieving political reform," Han said. "We have found that nearly 60 percent of the public supports reforms such as reducing the number of legislators and cutting lawmakers' salaries."

“These measures are not merely populism,” Han said. “However, even if they were, I would willingly become a populist.”

He also stressed the importance of a nation where fair competition is assured.

"We must promote competition," Han said. "The country must guarantee a strong belief that throughout the process, the rules of competition will be upheld without question."

"Simultaneously, individuals who do not win or those unable to compete should still be guaranteed a dignified life," Han added.

Han warns against DP Han refuted the DP leader’s accusation that the country is under a dictatorship led by prosecutors, including President Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor himself.

"If this were truly a prosecution dictatorship, Lee Jae-myung would be behind bars at this moment,” Han said, referring to the numerous allegations against the DP leader, some of which are currently being tried in court.

"It's quite comical that someone who once impersonated a prosecutor is now alleging a dictatorship run by prosecutors," Han said.

While the DP leader did not personally impersonate a prosecutor, he participated in a scheme in which Choi Cheol-ho, a producer at the broadcasting station KBS, impersonated a prosecutor during a phone call to then-Seongnam Mayor Kim Byung-ryang in 2003.

Since January, Lee has been on trial for related charges, including accusations of coercing a former aide of the late Seongnam Mayor Kim in 2018 to provide false testimony regarding his involvement in the prosecutor impersonation incident, in which he was convicted.

Han stressed that while the DP is entitled to engage in political attacks, these should not aim to undermine established social systems.

"The DP's recent attacks on the police while propagating conspiracies about the attack against Lee Jae-myung are concerning," Han said. "If this trend continues, one might wonder if the party's next campaign promise will be to abolish the police, similar to their previous actions targeting the prosecutors' office."

The DP, including some new members hoping to run in the upcoming election, has circulated conspiracy theories suggesting that last month's stabbing by a 67-year-old assailant was orchestrated by the Yoon Suk Yeol government, possibly with the involvement of the National Intelligence Service, as a politically motivated attack against a rival politician.

Some supporters accused the police of covering up the attack, citing efforts to downplay the severity of Lee's injuries and swift removal of blood from the scene.

However, the police have refuted these accusations, saying that they cleaned the area where Lee was attacked because they had already collected the necessary evidence and because it was a public park.

"Whether it is the police or a prosecutor, they are invaluable assets and instruments of the people, responsible for public safety and maintaining order," Han said. "Continuous criticism and degradation for political or personal interests will only harm us, the people, by weakening public security and responses to crime."

Addressing first lady controversy Han also addressed the controversial issue surrounding the first lady, Kim Keon Hee, who received a $2,000 Christian Dior handbag from a pastor.

"It is a tasteless act of hidden camera manipulation," Han said.

However, the interim party leader highlighted concerns regarding security lapses.

"I believe there are legitimate concerns among the public," Han stated.

He announced his intention to propose the establishment of a dedicated department within the president’s office to oversee the affairs of the first lady.

Additionally, Han said he would suggest appointing a special inspector, a position that has remained vacant since the Moon Jae-in administration.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]