AsiaToday reporter Lee Han-sol

Internal conflict is escalating within the ruling People Power Party (PPP) as PPP chief Han Dong-hoon has proposed appointing a special inspector to address public concerns over controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon-hee, in collaboration with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP). Han is now at odds with President Yoon Suk-yeol and floor leader Choo Kyung-ho as well. According to political sources on Thursday, Han called for appointing an independent inspector general investigating corruption by the president’s family. During a supreme council meeting, Han reiterated his calls to begin the process to appoint an independent inspector general responsible for investigating corruption by the president’s spouse, close relatives and senior presidential aides. “I will speak as party leader. We will initiate the appointment process. It was President Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidential election pledge,” Han said. “The party leader represents the party legally and externally, and oversees the party’s affairs,” he stressed, countering PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho’s stance that the matter should be addressed “within the floor,” based on opinions from all party lawmakers.

Political observers say that Han’s call for appointing a special inspector goes against President Yoon’s position that the recommendation of candidates for special inspection will be linked to the appointment of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation’s board, which is delayed by the opposition party, raising internal rift within the party. “It would be hard to gain the public’s understanding for such a stance under the current circumstances,” Han said. “It would look like as if we don’t want to carry out special inspection and the DP doesn’t like the recommendation of board of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation,” he said, expressing a stance of cooperation with the DP.

The DP immediately gave Han the upper hand. “Although floor leader Choo said the matter should be addressed within the floor, the leadership does not have to accept the approval of the general meeting,” DP Rep. Jang Kyung-tae said in an interview with SBS Radio. “If he is a member of the PPP, he should follow the opinions of the party leader and the leadership,” he added.