Han Dong-hoon, a candidate for the People Power Party's presidential primary, criticized on the 30th, "It seems that there are definitely some people for whom preserving vested interests and party leadership is more important than defeating Lee Jae-myung."
During a CBS radio interview on the morning of the same day, Han noted regarding recent comments by former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo, "It's not appropriate for me to comment on what kind of person the candidate Hong is," while interpreting it this way.
Earlier, on the 28th, ahead of the second primary results, former Mayor Hong stated, "There are people blinded only by party leadership rather than the presidential election. It feels like I am running the presidential election alone on an isolated island. I dream of the 2002 presidential election of Roh Moo-hyun, but it seems others are conducting the 2007 election of Chung Dong-young."
It was interpreted that the mainstream of the party, centered around the pro-Yoon (Yoon Suk-yeol) faction, is leading calls for the selection of Han Duck-soo as acting president to seek the next party leadership rather than winning the presidential election.
Han emphasized, "Both I and candidate Hong feel that party leadership is unnecessary after a defeat. We came out with a sense of mission that we must win. I have that mindset in the fight, and I thought that at least my determination is the same as that of candidate Hong," adding, "What use is party leadership if we lose?"
Regarding the unification with Han, who is said to be close to declaring their candidacy for the presidential election, he said, "If I become a candidate, I will talk with anyone and collaborate with anyone."
However, Han pointed out, "Discussing a unification so specifically with someone who is neither a party member nor has declared candidacy during such an important primary process dilutes the strength of the primary."
He emphasized, "A candidate selected by party members and the public will emerge, and the discussion should revolve around that candidate."
He also stated, "There are stages to tasks. First, we need to properly establish ourselves, and it is a priority to attract public interest and persuade them in this primary."
Regarding the 'big tent construction' with Lee Nak-yon, the permanent chairman of the New Future Democratic Party, and candidate from the Reform Party, he responded, "All kinds of possibilities are open."