Fabricated Disciplinary Scandal Exposed, PPP Splinters Over Han Dong-hoon's Return to the Party

After Hwang Kyung-sung, a member of the People Power Party's ethics committee, alleged that party disciplinary actions were rigged in advance, members are openly split over whether independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon should return to the party. In a statement on the 11th, Hwang claimed that Han's expulsion in January and the two-year suspension of Rep. Jin Jong-oh's party membership in August both stemmed from collusion between party chief Jang Dong-hyuk and ethics committee chief Yoon Min-woo. Although Hwang said he had secured evidence, he did not present anything specific. The party's supreme council summoned him on the 12th to verify his claims, but he refused to appear.

PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk said on the JoongAng Ilbo YouTube channel on the 12th that "Hwang Kyung-sung is someone who has encouraged division within the ethics committee," adding, "If something was fabricated, he should come forward and say clearly what it was." Referring to the members' message board incident that formed the basis of Han's disciplinary action, Jang called it "an act of betrayal, public manipulation, and criminal conduct under investigation." On the question of Han's return, Jang made clear his opposition: "As long as I am party leader, I am not considering his return—or anything of the sort—at all."

Voices of caution and opposition were also raised within the party. Rep. Kwon Young-se said on CBS Radio that day, "There is resistance within the party, so efforts must be made. The members' board case is still under investigation, so either wait for the outcome or, before that, there needs to be a clear explanation." Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said that "bringing Han back is essential for winning the general election," but conditioned his support, warning that it "must not become another ember of internal party conflict." Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, who has opposed Han's return, wrote on Facebook: "Are conservatives all planning to drown together in the river of re-admission? I would rather see a new party formed."

Opinions were voiced from outside the party as well. Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party said on KBS Radio that day, "Assuming Rep. Han was not involved, anyone who wrote such bizarre posts on the members' board should not be in politics." Asked about conservative unity, he said, "Issue-by-issue alliances can be discussed, excluding only those factions that brag about standing above everyone else." Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun remarked, "More frightening than the river of re-admission is the swamp of division."