Jang Dong-hyuk and Han Dong-hoon’s Rift Deepens: “No Return to the Party” and “The Opposition’s Strategic Asset”

The feud between People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is becoming more bitter. Jang has ruled out Han’s return to the party while he remains chairman, and Han has answered by calling him the Democratic Party’s “strategic asset.”

In a media interview on Sept. 2, Jang said he did not believe the party should form an alliance with Han or bring him back while Jang was in charge. “I do not agree that we must embrace everyone who once belonged to the People Power Party,” he said.

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I do not agree that we must embrace everyone who once belonged to the People Power Party.

Jang argued that Han had stood at the center of major conservative controversies, including the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, the investigation of former President Lee Myung-bak, the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and the party’s defeat in the general election. He also questioned whether Han’s current political activities matched the values and ideology of a conservative party.

Han responded on Facebook, recalling that Jang had told him, “I will protect you to the end,” shortly before Jang stepped down as party leader following Yoon’s impeachment. Han said he could not understand Jang’s “blind hatred,” even if political positions could change according to personal interests.

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I will protect you to the end.

Han said conservatives should unite to stop what he called the Democratic Party government of Lee Jae-myung from “running wild.” He accused Jang of encouraging internal fighting, division and confusion through personal hostility. “Conservative supporters do not just want someone who fights. They want someone who fights and wins. We cannot win Jang’s way,” Han said.

The conflict has intensified as Jang’s disciplinary politics have weakened Han’s allies inside the party. Three of four lawmakers recently given the serious punishment of suspended party membership are considered part of Han’s faction. Party spokesman Park Chung-kwon said Jang’s position was based on principle, arguing that Han must prove his political direction and identity and persuade lawmakers through his own political strength.

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Conservative supporters do not just want someone who fights. They want someone who fights and wins. We cannot win Jang’s way.