Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon visited Daegu to continue outreach with residents, as People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seok-ki urged the former leader to "serve in white clothes."
Since the 25th, the former leader has been staying in Daegu, continuing a livelihood-focused schedule. Wearing a red-toned outfit that day, the former leader visited the Daegu Samsung Creative Campus, looked at the statue of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul, and took selfies with residents. The former leader's visit to Daegu is the first in nine months since May 2025, and the first since being expelled from the People Power Party.
Some observers say the former leader could run in the by-elections held concurrently with the June 3 local elections. The former leader said the previous day, "If I mention in advance a specific district with a run in mind, it could become a target of attacks," adding, "We need to rebuild the conservative camp with a head-on match. What matters is not where to run, but what to do."
On this, senior People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seok-ki held a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon and said, "Elections are difficult nationwide right now, but if there is a request in a tough district and the former leader goes to the scene and tells supporters who back the former leader, 'We can protect this country only if we elect many People Power Party candidates. There is a lot of discontent, but let's win this election,' if the former leader steps up with that attitude, the electoral landscape could change."
He said, "Even after suffering difficulties within the party, if the former leader shows sincerity (in defending the country), the assessment will be much higher," adding, "If that happens, the former leader will have another chance next time. I, too, bear responsibility for the crushing defeat in the 22nd general election, and everyone bears responsibility, but it cannot be said that the former leader's responsibility is light."
Kim said, "When the country is in trouble, if the former leader steps up and says, 'I acknowledge my responsibility, will reflect, and will serve in white clothes,' and 'I will rush to help wherever needed,' the party could also overcome its difficulties," adding, "Now is really not the time to fight among ourselves; the goal is to stop the reckless runaway of the Lee Jae-myung administration and protect the country."
The former leader posted on Facebook to rebut Kim's demand. The former leader said, "Even after seeing the former president Yoon receive a life sentence, there are people who went so far as to hold a press conference to say impeachment was wrong and it was my responsibility, effectively defending martial law," adding, "Those people said nothing and went along when I was expelled, and now they are telling me to sacrifice myself and serve in white clothes to help the party establishment."
The former leader asked, "What did those people do when former President Yoon Suk-yeol went against public sentiment, ran amok, and even imposed martial law, ruining the conservative camp, and what sacrifices have they made from then until now," adding, "What sacrifices will they make going forward?"