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Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), holds a campaign with Yoon Ul-hyun, the candidate for the by-election of Geumjeong District in Busan on Oct. 12, 2024./ Source: Yonhap |
AsiaToday reporter Han Dae-eui
The leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Saturday stressed the need for a personnel reshuffle of the presidential office. Insiders of the ruling camp believe that Han’s statement reflects his willingness to go against President Yoon’s nerves if the time comes. Some say that he may have joined the “witch hunt” against First Lady Kim Keon-hee.
“I believe the presidential office needs a reshuffle of its personnel to assuage concerns and worries about first lady Kim Keon-hee,” Han told reporters during a by-election campaign in Busan on Saturday, when asked about allegations that a secretive confidante to Kim had meddled in state affairs. “The presidential office’s personnel overhaul will be an important starting point for the government and the ruling party to reform, change and innovate based on public sentiment,” Han said.
“Han was talking about those in the presidential office that are engaged in various inappropriate acts,” a pro-Han official said in a phone interview with Newsis on the same day. “The personnel reshuffle refers to them,” the official added.
Han’s demand for personnel reshuffle drew a storm of criticism from the ruling party. Jang Ye-chan, former PPP Supreme Council member, said in a phone interview with AsiaToday that Han’s demand was an “attack on the president’s right to personnel management.”
“Weren’t there many people who made problematic remarks among those appointed by Han? Didn’t he protect them during questioning?” Did the presidential office even make a fuss about his party leadership appointment?” Jang asked.
In response to Han’s remarks calling on the prosecution to come up with a decision “acceptable to the public” in its investigation into stock manipulation allegations involving the first lady, Jang said, “His remarks only indicate that the prosecution should indict the first lady.”
“Party members and the public are anxious because Han is trying to attack the presidential office more prematurely than any other ruling party leader ever and be differentiated,” Jang said. “President Yoon still has half of his term left, but if Han continues to stand at odds, he will also find it difficult,” he said, indicating that Han may lose his competitiveness as a presidential candidate if he continues to confront President Yoon.
ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"
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