People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk ruled out an alliance with Han Dong-hoon, who is running in the Busan Buk-A by-election.
Jang made the remarks at a press briefing on the 5th.
Jang said of Han, "He is a figure the party expelled on principle," adding, "The question of an alliance with someone we expelled is a clearly different matter from an alliance with another party."
Jang also signaled that action would be taken against Rep. Han Ji-a and others who are helping Han Dong-hoon. "If you became a lawmaker by receiving the party's nomination, you have a role and responsibility," he said. "We will clearly establish the facts about the various situations currently unfolding and take the necessary measures afterward."
Separately, Jang criticized President Lee Jae-myung's handling of foreign affairs over the explosion on a Korean vessel anchored in the Strait of Hormuz. "President Lee Jae-myung, who was called a diplomatic genius, has become completely invisible on the diplomatic stage since the Middle East war broke out," he said. "All he has done is bash Israel on social media." He added, "President Trump has called for Korea to join in. This is no longer a situation we can avoid, so the president's decision and action are needed."
Jang also sharply criticized Lee over the special counsel bill on prosecution withdrawal. "Leaders around the world are scrambling to secure their national interests amid wars, but President Lee Jae-myung is consumed only with erasing his own crimes," he said. "With his approval rating plunging, he appears to be trying to at least push (passage of the special counsel bill) back until after the local elections." He continued, "The Blue House hastily issued a statement yesterday, but the conclusion was an order from Lee Jae-myung to proceed with the prosecution withdrawal no matter what, just delaying the timing. Withdrawing the prosecution does not erase the crimes committed. Rather, the illegal and unconstitutional withdrawal will later be added on, resulting in aggravated punishment."
