Han Dong-hoon expulsion sharpens People Power Party’s election strategy divide

Jan 15, 2026, 07:57 am

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Lawmakers from the People Power Party’s junior reformist group “Alternative and the Future” hold a press conference at the National Assembly’s communications hall on Jan. 14, urging an emergency caucus meeting and stating their position on the expulsion of former party leader Han Dong-hoon. / Lee Byung-hwa

The People Power Party’s decision to expel former leader Han Dong-hoon is being interpreted as a signal that the party is placing greater emphasis on consolidating its core supporters rather than expanding its electoral base ahead of the June 3 local elections.

On Jan. 14, junior and first-term lawmakers from the party’s reformist caucus, “Alternative and the Future,” held a press conference at the National Assembly to denounce the late-night decision by the party’s central ethics committee and to call for an emergency caucus meeting.

Inside the party, reactions have centered on the unusually severe level of discipline. Some lawmakers described the decision as “far harsher than expected.” Even Kwon Young-se, previously regarded as part of the pro–Yoon camp, said the ruling was “excessive,” underscoring divisions within the party’s mainstream.

Beyond debates over the legitimacy of the punishment itself, many observers see the timing—just months before the local elections—as revealing a clear strategic choice. A party official said Han is “hardly a symbol of the political center,” adding that relying on a single individual to represent voter outreach is not desirable. “Expanding the party’s base depends on policies and political steps, not on evaluating everything through individuals,” the official said.

At the same time, concerns are growing that the expulsion could further inflame intraparty conflict. Backlash has spread rapidly among lawmakers aligned with Han and other reform-minded members. They argue that processing the expulsion in a late-night session violates basic principles of party democracy and public expectations. Critics also say expelling a former leader over posts on a party bulletin board amounts to an excessive restriction on freedom of expression.

The decision is also expected to reshape the party’s ideological terrain. Han had been widely viewed as a symbolic figure for outreach to centrist voters, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area, while maintaining distance from former President Yoon Suk Yeol. With his removal, critics say space for non–pro-Yoon and centrist positions within the party has narrowed significantly.

As a result, analysts see the party’s center of gravity shifting further toward its core membership and more hardline supporters. Another party official said that leaving the issue unresolved could have fueled additional disputes, but acknowledged that judging electoral outreach through specific individuals is problematic.

The fallout may also complicate regional strategies for the June 3 local elections. While consolidation could strengthen support in traditional conservative strongholds such as the Yeongnam region, candidates in the capital area and other swing districts worry that the loss of a centrist appeal will be a liability. Some prospective candidates have privately warned that “it will be difficult to run an election under these conditions.”

Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said the expulsion appears to reflect a choice by the party leadership to preserve internal control. “It prioritizes unity and order over expansion and change,” he said, “but that inevitably weakens momentum for centrist outreach and reform.”

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