PPP leader Jang Dong Hyuk says expulsion case against Han Dong Hoon will follow procedure

Jang Dong Hyuk, leader of South Korea’s People Power Party, said Tuesday that disciplinary proceedings seeking to expel Han Dong Hoon, the party’s former leader, would move forward “according to procedure,” signaling expulsion remains possible. 

Speaking to reporters after an on-site meeting on price trends at the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT) center in Seoul’s Seocho district, Jang avoided a direct answer on Han’s case, saying, “What matters now is people’s lives and livelihoods.” 

Asked about Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon’s call for the two sides to meet “even today,” Jang said, “Enough time has been given under the procedure, and we will proceed according to procedure.” 

On the New Reform Party’s decision to put off cooperation on a special counsel probe, Jang said the opposition’s proposed special counsel “must be carried through,” adding that “carrying through the special counsel itself is the justification.”

Explaining his early return to party duties, Jang cited South Korea-U.S. tariff talks, high prices and two special counsel issues, saying he could now move again and “couldn’t delay,” and that he believed returning “as soon as possible” was the right course.

Regarding Rep. Kwon Seong Dong, who faces allegations of receiving money linked to the Unification Church and was sentenced Tuesday in a first trial to two years in prison, Jang said authorities had pursued all possible investigations into the opposition over Unification Church-related matters, but did not investigate when names of ruling-party figures were mentioned during the process. “That’s why we are demanding a special counsel,” he said.

Jang added that he expects the courts to make fair decisions the public can accept and said he would watch the case through the final ruling.