Speculation grows over early return of ex-ruling party chief

Han Dong-hoon, then interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), announces his decision to step down at the party's headquarters in Seoul, April 11, following the party's crushing defeat in the April 10 general elections. Joint Press Corps

Speculation is mounting over the potential early comeback of Han Dong-hoon, the former interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who has maintained a low profile since the party's bitter defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections.

If Han resumes political activities at this juncture, it will inevitably be seen as a bid to seize the chance to become the governing party’s new chairperson, given that the PPP is gearing up to hold a convention to elect its new leadership around July. This move is anticipated to position him as one of the most formidable contenders for the forthcoming presidential elections in 2027.

Han, a former prosecutor and President Yoon Suk Yeol’s first justice minister, became the conservative party’s leader last December and led the tough election campaign to help the party regain the trust of voters. Despite such efforts, the party won only 108 seats out of a 300-member National Assembly, and Han stepped down shouldering responsibility for the defeat and chose to disappear from the public’s eye.

But the political novice has been spotted recently on several occasions, including a dinner on Sunday with former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, who lost to Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung in the elections.

It remains unknown what the two may have discussed, but many speculate they may have talked about various pending issues including the party’s upcoming convention.

On Saturday, Han was also spotted reading a book in a library in Seoul and signing autographs and being photographed with his supporters.

The recent public sightings are fanning expectations that Han will run for the chairmanship of the ruling party.

His relatively high approval ratings in surveys support this speculation.

Han Dong-hoon, then interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, takes a selfie with one of his supporters during the party's election campaigning in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, March 27. Yonhap

In an Ace Research poll of 1,000 adults that surveyed the popularity of potential candidates for the PPP's new chairperson, Han received 26 percent support, slightly trailing behind former PPP lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, who secured 28 percent.

When the pollster limited the respondents to PPP supporters, Han ranked first with 48 percent support. The poll was carried out from May 8 to 9.

However, his potential early return to the political arena is expected to spark controversy over its justifiability.

Party members have already been engaged in a heated debate over how much longer Han should maintain a low-key position to take responsibility for the party's election defeat.

The PPP’s current interim leader, Hwang Woo-yea, said during a party meeting on Tuesday, “We should not leave the responsibility to a certain individual. The issue of accountability was settled when Han stepped down.”

Hwang’s comments were construed as indirectly supporting Han’s early return.

Five-term lawmaker Cho Kyoung-tae also said during a radio interview, “Every member of the party should take responsibility. The election defeat and running for the chairmanship are separate issues.”

On the other hand, Kim Joon-ho, another party member, said, “I don’t agree with Hwang’s comments that the issue of accountability was settled when Han stepped down.”