SEOUL, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said Monday he had indeed been asked by the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign but rejected the request, confirming an unlikely clash between the two sides.
Tensions have escalated between Han and Yoon’s office over how to handle allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received a luxury bag as a gift in 2022, leading to presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup delivering a request that he step down as chairman of the PPP’s emergency leadership committee.
It is one of the most unlikely clashes because Han has long been considered one of Yoon’s closest confidants since their time as prosecutors. When Han took over as PPP leader last month, critics denounced him as Yoon’s “avatar.”
“I understand that my term continues until after the general election,” Han told reporters, saying he will carry out his duties, prioritizing the people as the upcoming election is crucial for the future generation.
“As I rejected the request for r
esignation, I can’t talk about details,” he said.
In November of last year, Voice of Seoul, a liberal YouTube news channel, reported that the first lady received a Christian Dior bag valued at around 3 million won (US$2,200) from a Korean American pastor in September 2022.
Since then, some reform-minded members of the PPP have raised calls for an apology from her, apparently fearing that the allegation could possibly serve as a defeating factor as the party aims to regain its majority from the main opposition Democratic Party.
Regarding the point that allegations are one of the reasons behind conflicts between the PPP and the presidential office, Han said his position has remained unchanged from the beginning.
Han has stated from the beginning that the incident was a premeditated hidden camera trap, though he partially sided with the reformists, acknowledging that there were aspects the public might be worried about.
Han also emphasized Monday that politics serving the people should be directed in a way
that the party manages its own affairs and the government does its job.
Source: Yonhap News Agency
