Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon on the 18th apologized for growing internal strife over the party members' message board controversy, saying, "As a politician who led the party, I am sorry." But regarding the disciplinary action by the party's ethics committee, he said it was "fabricated and political retaliation." It was his first formal apology since he was expelled by the ethics committee on the 13th over the party members' message board case.
That day, the former leader posted a video on Facebook and said, "The disciplinary action against me is clearly fabricated and political retaliation," while also saying, "I feel sorry, as a responsible politician who led the party, for the situation having come to this point and for causing concern to the public and party members."
He went on, "Ahead of a critical election to overcome martial law and rein in the Democratic Party administration's runaway, I worry greatly that seeing this scene of political retaliation will make many people withdraw their support for our party," adding, "You can use party power to politically retaliate and strip me of my party membership, but you cannot take away the spirit and future of the party I love."
This apology reflects acceptance of calls within the party. Some argued that while the ethics committee's expulsion decision was excessive, Han, as a form of exit strategy, needed to issue a public apology message. In fact, the former leader was said to have deliberated with close aides on the method and timing of an apology. With this, some say the ball over the disciplinary turmoil is back in the court of leader Jang Dong-hyeok.
Still, it is uncertain whether it will lead to an actual adjustment of the punishment. Although he issued an apology, he has not budged from his existing position of "political oppression." The leadership also has not issued a separate position, citing leader Jang's hunger strike. Jang Ye-chan, a pro-Yoon Suk Yeol figure and vice president of the Yeouido Institute, said, "The worst-ever tantrum disguised as an apology," adding, "Because public opinion is unfavorable, he needs to pretend to apologize, but he does not want to admit wrongdoing—truly the behavior of a 'golden child.'"