Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon on the 27th said, "Daegu has always taken the lead and faced things head-on when the country was in trouble," adding, "Rebuilding the conservative camp is a precondition for Korea to return to normal and advance. I came here with the intention of starting in Daegu to do that."
That morning, the former leader visited Kaesung Middle School in Jung District, Daegu. Before his public schedule to visit Seomun Market, he went to the basement of the Adams Hall at Kaesung Middle School, the starting point of the March 1 Independence Movement in Daegu.
After looking over the monuments in the basement of Adams Hall at Kaesung Middle School, the former leader met with reporters and said, "Daegu's spirit is one that has broken through by taking things head-on when the country was in difficulty," adding, "About 40 students and teachers at Kaesung School took part in the March 1 Independence Movement. As that spirit accumulated and accumulated, the legacy of being the heart of the conservative camp was born."
That day, the former leader emphasized "rebuilding the conservative camp" several times. Asked about running in Daegu, he said, "With the handing down of a heavy sentence to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, this is the very moment when we can properly overcome the Yoon line and move to the future," adding, "If Daegu steps up actively, the entire conservative camp will step up. I came to Daegu to persuade people that we will rebuild the conservative camp and put it back on track."
The former leader deferred an answer, saying, "As for running, I am not thinking deeply about it at this stage."
The former leader said, "If we do not overcome the rigged-election conspiracy theory, martial law, and impeachment, we cannot move to the future," adding, "Use me as a ship or a tool to cross this long, loathsome sea like a swamp, and if you don't like me afterward, you can discard the ship after we have crossed. I am not trying to gain anything, but I intend to play a sufficient role in overcoming the Yoon line and rebuilding the conservative camp."
He said, "Other than me, is there any politician raising a hand to say they will rebuild the conservative camp?" adding, "This is a time when we need someone who will do something, come what may."
The former leader said, "Those who are clinging to the Yoon line, which is not even a handful, and leading the conservative camp down a path to ruin are beguiling people as if they were the majority," adding, "I came because I wanted to create a venue to show them what the real Daegu public sentiment and conservative public sentiment are. I hear they plan to discipline the politicians standing with me today; if that's the case, I would say discipline Seomun Market instead."
After finishing his visit to Kaesung Middle School, the former leader went to Seomun Market. Lawmakers in the pro-Han camp of the People Power Party joined him. They included former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk, as well as lawmakers Jin Jong-oh, Kim Ye-ji, Park Jeong-hun, Woo Jae-jun, and Bae Hyun-jin. Seomun Market was so crowded with people cheering and opposing the former leader that there was barely room to step.
At Seomun Market, the former leader met merchants and citizens, shaking hands and taking selfies. At "Hooni Dried Seafood," whose name is similar to his, he personally bought grilled dried filefish, and later he had kalguksu with pro-Han lawmakers and the merchants' association at a restaurant in the market for lunch.
At one shop in the market the former leader visited, when a merchant cursed People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, the former leader tried to soothe the situation by saying, "He also needs to be well."
After finishing his market visit, the former leader wrapped up his schedule with a speech from a platform inside the market. Reiterating "rebuilding the conservative camp" and "cutting ties with Yoon Suk-yeol," he stressed, "I will be the tool that severs the Yoon line and rebuilds the conservative camp."
He said, "The party establishment, led by figures like Go Seong-guk, was elected as hosts for those who peddle rigged elections and 'Yoon Again,'" adding, "If they break away from that, their personal survival is difficult, so even if the conservative camp and the People Power Party collapse, they keep it up. At this rate, not to mention local elections, even the party's survival will be hard."
The former leader said, "The party establishment is becoming isolated from the entire public," adding, "Such a force cannot survive in mass politics. Regardless of whether those people go under, we must rebuild the conservative camp."