Han Dong-hoon Considers Election Districts Amidst Party Turmoil

Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, signaled a potential return to electoral politics, indicating openness to contesting a parliamentary by-election linked to the upcoming June 3 local elections. The announcement, made during a broadcast appearance on MBN’s “Jeong Ungap’s Deep Analysis” on November 16, 2025, comes as the political landscape shifts following the appointment of a new party leadership.

While Han stopped short of declaring a specific constituency or position, he emphasized his commitment to “good politics” and willingness to consider “all means” to achieve that goal. “I am someone who even considered running in the presidential election to build a good country,” he stated, according to reports from The Hankyoreh. He further asserted his continued dedication to the People Power Party, contrasting himself with those who had “deserted” the party.

The possibility of Han’s participation in the by-election has ignited speculation regarding his potential target district. Initial reports suggested a focus on either Daegu or Busan, traditional strongholds for the conservative party. Though, internal party dynamics are complicating the picture. According to MSN Korea, there is discussion of Han potentially running in Busan Buk-gap, a seat vacated by the Democratic Party’s Jeon Jae-soo, who is now running for Busan mayor.

Recent developments within the People Power Party, particularly surrounding the party’s nomination process, have introduced further uncertainty. Reports indicate a potential effort by the current leadership to prevent Han from securing a nomination in Daegu. Newsis reported that some within the party are suggesting that the party’s Public Nomination Committee Chairman, Lee Jeong-hyun, may move to exclude veteran lawmakers in order to clear the path for a preferred candidate in the Daegu mayoral race, potentially limiting Han’s options.

This maneuvering has fueled speculation of a possible alliance between Han and Joo Ho-young, a six-term lawmaker who has publicly criticized the current party leadership. Some reports suggest a scenario where Joo runs as an independent candidate for Daegu mayor, while Han contests the Daegu Suseong-gap parliamentary seat vacated by Joo. Joo Ho-young, however, dismissed these claims as “imaginative” in a recent interview with TV Chosun, stating that such a scenario would be “the worst-case situation.” He indicated that the speculation stemmed from concerns that the party leadership might disadvantage him in the mayoral nomination process to avoid creating a by-election that could allow Han to enter the race.

Adding to the complexity, sources within the Han Dong-hoon camp allege that the current party leadership is actively promoting former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairwoman Lee Jin-sook as a candidate for Daegu mayor, specifically to prevent a by-election that would enable Han’s candidacy. Park Jeong-hoon, a lawmaker aligned with Han, stated on MBC radio that the leadership was discussing this strategy internally.

Han’s own actions suggest a deliberate strategy of maintaining flexibility. He has embarked on a series of “listening tours” across the country, visiting traditional markets in Busan and attending a baseball game in Sajik Stadium. He is scheduled to visit the Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on March 22. These visits are being interpreted as a way to gauge public sentiment and explore potential electoral opportunities.

The evolving situation surrounding Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s potential candidacy is also influencing the calculations. With Oh facing internal opposition and the emergence of Park Su-min as a potential alternative, some within Han’s circle are now discussing the possibility of Han contesting the Gangnam-A parliamentary seat in Seoul. This scenario hinges on Oh’s decision regarding the mayoral race and the outcome of the party’s primary process.

Despite the uncertainty, many within the People Power Party believe that Han’s participation in the by-election is crucial for revitalizing the conservative movement. Supporters argue that he is uniquely positioned to lead a “reconstruction” of the party and challenge the current administration. The focus, according to sources close to Han, remains on Busan, seen as a symbolically important location for a potential comeback.