Han Dong-hoon Heads to Daegu, Eyes By-election Bid

Former People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon will launch a nationwide tour starting in Daegu, the heartland of Korean conservatism, pledging to "rebuild the conservative movement" amid intensifying internal strife within the ruling party ahead of the June 3 local elections.

According to political sources on the 23rd, Han will begin his "listening tour" at Seomun Market in Daegu on the 27th before traveling through Busan and the Yeongnam region. This marks his first nationwide tour in approximately four months since visiting southern Gyeonggi Province last October. Han posted on his political platform "Hancut," writing "The listening tour must continue!" signaling his intention to maintain direct contact with voters.

His choice of Daegu as the first stop this year is interpreted as an effort to rally his support base with the local elections now 100 days away. With former President Yoon Suk-yeol sentenced to life imprisonment at his first trial on charges of leading an insurrection, Han is expected to deliver a message of "Let's rebuild conservatism together" in this traditional conservative stronghold.

Following his expulsion from the PPP on January 29, Han held a press conference at the National Assembly, declaring: "Fellow party members and citizens, we are the owners of this party and the conservative movement. Never give up and please wait. I will return."

At a talk concert on the 8th, he directly attacked the leadership under Chairman Chang Dong-hyuk, stating: "Extremists like those supporting martial law and 'Yoon Again' now occupy the central positions of power," criticizing Chang's refusal to sever ties with former President Yoon.

Political observers speculate Han may run as an independent candidate in by-elections coinciding with the June local elections after solidifying his support base through this tour. Districts in Daegu, Busan, and South Gyeongsang Province may become by-election constituencies as incumbent lawmakers run for metropolitan government positions.

Internal conflict within the PPP has escalated following Han's expulsion and Yoon's life sentence. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized Chairman Chang at a book concert the previous day, saying: "The party leadership's position on the judicial ruling regarding former President Yoon's martial law declaration is significantly out of step with the general public's views," repeatedly pressuring for a break with Yoon.

With both Han and key opposition figures voicing dissent against the leadership, concerns are growing over potential negative impacts on the election.

Meanwhile, the PPP leadership has decided to postpone renaming the party until after the local elections. The delay in the name change, pursued as part of organizational reform, appears driven by concerns that merely changing the party name without resolving internal conflicts could backfire. The party is deliberating between two candidates: "Future Alliance" and "Republican Party for Opening the Future."

PPP chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon said: "Two name proposals have been submitted, but since changing the party name should accompany revisions to the party platform and basic policies, there was consensus that more in-depth discussion until the local elections is necessary. The Supreme Council agreed to finalize the name change after the election."