Han Dong-hoon's return to PPP 'not entirely impossible,' senior member says

People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won said Thursday that the possibility of lawmaker Han Dong-hoon rejoining the party is "not something I would say is entirely out of the question," while adding that conditions must first change before any such move, citing unresolved issues from Han's disciplinary proceedings and the risk of renewed intraparty conflict.

Speaking on MBC Radio, Kim said the circumstances surrounding the disciplinary process "have not been sorted out at all," and that Han's return "would create significant potential for conflict within the party." He said both issues would need to reach "a different phase than where things stand now" before a return could be considered.

Kim also cited remarks by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who had described Han's return as a prerequisite for victory in the next general election. Kim quoted Oh as saying the issue "must not become another spark for intraparty conflict" and that "a consensus that party members can genuinely embrace must be formed first," adding that "many people would probably agree with that."

On the resistance Han faces within the party, Kim said some members worry that "a situation similar to the intraparty conflict that erupted after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye could be triggered again by lawmaker Han Dong-hoon." He stressed that "it is necessary to gently tend to the wounds many people carry and resolve this issue."

On the mood among rank-and-file members, Kim said, "Among the party members, supporters and citizens we meet, I get the sense that this has not yet been resolved in their hearts."

Regarding allegations raised by a PPP ethics committee member that disciplinary proceedings against Han and lawmaker Jin Jong-oh had been manipulated, Kim said ethics committee member Hwang Gyeong-seong "says he has secured evidence, so it would be right for him to submit it." He added, "If he cannot submit it, I think one would have to wonder whether he has been saying something wrong."

On calls by Han and others for PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok to take responsibility, Kim said the proper order of events would be to "first reveal the details of the alleged manipulation, and if it truly turns out to be manipulation, then make that argument."