Han Dong-hoon: 'Cannot Abandon the Capital Area'
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon visited Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province on the 11th, emphasizing that "the capital area is a core region that cannot be politically abandoned," and criticized rivals' arguments of neglecting the region. Han argued that conservative politics should not abandon Gyeonggi Province, and on this day, he successively visited Jidong Market, Palmdalmun Market, Yeongdong Market, Minaligwang Market, and Motgol Market near Palmdalmun to meet with citizens. This marked his fourth public engagement tour, following visits to Daegu, Busan, and Seoul. Han pointed out that some party leadership candidates showing an attitude as if abandoning Gyeonggi Province is a seriously wrong act and disrespectful to the citizens of Gyeonggi, where the largest population lives. He stressed that even if there are many Democratic Party supporters in Gyeonggi Province, a significant number of conservative political supporters exist, and the conservative party must not abandon representing their positions and reflecting them in politics. Han mentioned that he has been expelled from the party but has no intention of abandoning the capital area, and will strive to make it a party stronghold. He criticized the controversy over the nomination of Gyeonggi Province governor candidates within the People Power Party as something the public would find absurd and disrespectful to the residents of Gyeonggi Province.
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's diplomatic trip to the Middle East, Han criticized it as dangerous brinkmanship diplomacy at a time when such a strategy is needed for national interest, stating that provoking an enemy of Israel is risky and indicates either a broken system or an attempt to incite extremist forces for election purposes. He also expressed concern that President Lee's late-night SNS activities, by citing unverified fake news, could lead to a loss of international credibility.
On the speculation of Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, running in Hanam, Han evaluated it as self-rationalization to avoid Busan and representative of "Cho Kuk-style politics." Regarding the Busan mayoral election, he addressed the alleged receipt of a luxury watch by lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo, stating that if he received a Cartier watch, he should not be in politics and pressured him to answer the citizens of Busan.