{"id":2203584,"date":"2024-01-23T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T23:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203584"},"modified":"2024-01-22T18:02:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T09:02:47","slug":"rift-between-president-and-ruling-party-chief-surfaces-as-general-elections-loom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/01\/rift-between-president-and-ruling-party-chief-surfaces-as-general-elections-loom\/","title":{"rendered":"Rift between president and ruling party chief surfaces as general elections loom"},"content":{"rendered":"
Han Dong-hoon, the interim leader of South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP), has publicly <\/span>confirmed<\/span><\/a> that he was requested to resign by President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s chief of staff, Lee Kwan-sup, but has chosen to reject the request. This revelation highlights an unexpected rift between Yoon and the interim party leader, particularly as tensions mount over how to address <\/span>allegations<\/span><\/a> involving the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, receiving a luxury bag as a gift in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n The refusal by Han, a <\/span>close confidant<\/span><\/a> of Yoon, to step down from his leadership position within the PPP signals potential instability within the party. This comes at a crucial time as the party faces internal debates on addressing public and legal scrutiny ahead of the parliamentary elections in April, thereby casting a shadow on the party\u2019s unity and future political maneuvers.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n The rift between Yoon and Han, both former prosecutors, is unexpected. Han once led the now-defunct anti-corruption and violent crimes division in the Prosecutors\u2019 Office, and he gained recognition during the Moon Jae-in administration but was <\/span>demoted<\/span><\/a> with Yoon, then the prosecutor general, amid conflicts with then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.<\/span><\/p>\n This tension, amplified by criticisms of Han\u2019s closeness to Yoon from figures across the political spectrum like <\/span>Park Jie-won<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Hong Joon-pyo<\/span><\/a>, raises questions about internal discord within the PPP. This discord is notable as it occurs after Yoon <\/span>exercised his veto power<\/span><\/a> earlier this month to block an investigation into the first lady\u2019s alleged involvement in stock manipulation.<\/span><\/p>\n