Wins Busan Buk-gu seat in by-election
'I have returned on the strength of the people'; vows to rebuild conservatism
On rejoining PPP: 'Not the stage to think about that yet'
Han Dong-hoon, the independent lawmaker elected in the June 3 Busan Buk-gu (Gap) constituency by-election, made his first appearance at the National Assembly on Friday, declaring, "I have returned here on the strength of the people."
Han arrived to take the oath of office at a plenary session. Dressed in a black suit and the brown "Hunminjeongeum"-patterned tie he wore at his inauguration as justice minister, he introduced himself to reporters as "Han Dong-hoon, lawmaker for Buk-gu Gap" and bowed deeply in all four directions.
Supporters dressed in white — the color associated with independent candidates — had gathered in front of the main Assembly building, chanting his name. Some held signs reading "Congratulations on your first day at work, Assemblymember Han Dong-hoon" and similar messages.
"On the night of Dec. 3, 2024, I was right here, and the decisions and actions I took that night — as a citizen of the Republic of Korea and as the People Power Party leader — set me on a path of political hardship," Han said. "Even if I could go back to that moment, I would walk the same path."
He pledged to "faithfully carry out the people's strong wish to develop the region, rebuild conservatism and check the runaway abuse of power" through diligent legislative work. He added that he would "serve fellow citizens and listen carefully to fellow lawmakers" and conduct legislative activities "with the people first in mind."
On whether he plans to rejoin the People Power Party, Han said he had already stated his intention to return "on the very first day I was unjustly expelled," but added that it did not seem to be "the stage yet to think through the specific procedures in advance."
Asked how he intended to fulfill his constituency campaign pledges as an independent, he declined to elaborate, saying his earlier remarks covered the matter.
Inside the main Assembly building, lawmakers aligned with Han — including Park Jeong-ha, Jin Jong-oh, Bae Hyun-jin, Han Ji-a, Park Jeong-hun, Ko Dong-jin, Jeong Seong-guk and Kim Hyeong-dong — greeted him as he arrived. Han shook hands with each before making his way to the plenary chamber.
Han won the June 3 by-election in Busan's Buk-gu (Gap) district with 42.99 percent of the vote after a tight race against Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea, who received 41.24 percent.
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