[News Today] Can Han's apology mend PPP rift?

[LEAD]
As People Power Party chairman Jang Dong-hyeok continues his hunger strike, former leader Han Dong-hoon has apologized for internal rifts linked to the party’s online bulletin board controversy.

The apology, however, has done little so far to ease tensions within the party.

[REPORT]
Former People Power Party head Han Dong-hoon has revealed his stance on the ethics committee’s decision to expel him.

In a two-minute video message, he apologized for the current situation facing the party.

Han Dong-hoon / Former Chair, People Power Party
As a responsible politician who once led the party, I sincerely regret that the situation has come to this.

Although he did not specifically mention the online bulletin board controversy,

his remarks are widely seen as an indirect apology for the internal rift sparked by the controversy and the ethics committee’s expulsion decision.

Han repeated three times that the disciplinary action against him amounted to political retaliation, and said he was deeply concerned about the possible loss of supporters ahead of upcoming elections.

It was his first public statement since party leader Jang Dong-hyeok began his hunger strike on January 15.

Reactions were divided, with some calling it a sincere apology, while others criticized it as vague and lacking substance.

Song Eon-seog / Floor Leader, People Power Party
We need to reflect once again on how many people are perceiving this apology.

As senior party figures and regional leaders continued to visit Jang’s hunger strike site,
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon urged party unity.

Oh Se-hoon / Seoul mayor
I hope everyone can come together and focus clearly on expanding the conservative base.

It remains uncertain whether Han’s apology will open a path toward resolving the party’s internal conflict.

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