PPP leader Han Dong-hoon dismisses presidential office’s request for his resignation

Jan 22, 2024, 10:12 am

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Han Dong-hoon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is on his way to the National Assembly on Jan. 22, 2024. The presidential office reportedly requested Han on Sunday to resign./ Source: Yonhap News

By AsiaToday reporter Yoo Jenny

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said Monday that his “position has never changed” amid controversy over first lady Kim Keon-hee’s luxury bag allegations, which is being mentioned as the cause of the conflict with President Yoon Suk-yeol.

On his way to the National Assembly early in the morning, Han told reporters that he had rejected the presidential office’s call for his resignation, saying he will “do his job.”

Presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup met with Han earlier in the day and delivered a request for him to resign from the chairman of the PPP’s emergency leadership committee, according to ruling party lawmakers.

“I think the April 10 general election is really important for our people and the future of this country,” Han said. “That is why I accepted the position with the determination to give everything I have, and I’ve been doing my best.”

“The path that I’ve decided to walk for the people, I will do my job,” Han said. “I will explain well to the people about our party’s change to prevent them from suffering and avoid this country from being threatened due to the strange politics of the Democratic Party,” he said.

Regarding criticism that the controversy over the first lady is being mentioned as the cause of the conflict with President Yoon, Han said, “My position has never changed from the start.”

Regarding criticism that the president’s demand for resignation was intervention in party affairs, he said, “I will not evaluate it,” adding, “It is because I dismissed the call for resignation.”

When asked if he could complete his role as the chairman of the PPP’s emergency leadership committee until the general elections, he responded, “I understand that my term will continue after the general election.”

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