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People Power : South Korea’s main conservative opposition party has formally expelled its former leader Han Dong-hoon, bringing a contentious internal dispute to a close as the party prepares for upcoming local elections. The decision follows weeks of internal deliberation and highlights ongoing divisions within the People Power Party over its future direction and political identity.

Supreme Council Confirms Expulsion Decision

The People Power Party announced on Thursday that its supreme council had finalized the removal of Han Dong-hoon from party membership. The move came roughly two weeks after the party’s ethics committee voted in favor of expulsion, citing conduct that it said had harmed the party’s public standing. Party officials said the council’s decision reflected the seriousness of the issue and the need to enforce internal standards consistently.

Controversy Over Online Posts

At the center of the dispute are allegations that members of Han’s family posted disparaging remarks on the party’s internal bulletin board. The comments were directed at former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. Party leaders argued that the posts crossed acceptable boundaries and undermined party unity at a sensitive political moment.

Yoon was removed from office after his failed declaration of martial law in December 2024, a move that deeply shook South Korea’s political landscape. The online remarks, according to party officials, reopened internal wounds and intensified factional tensions.

Han’s Break With the Former President

Han Dong-hoon was once considered a close ally of Yoon Suk Yeol, having worked alongside him for years in the prosecution service and later in government. However, their political paths diverged after Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration. Han publicly supported Yoon’s impeachment, a stance that placed him at odds with many conservative lawmakers and ultimately led to his resignation as party leader.

While Han issued a public apology over the controversy surrounding the online posts, he rejected the party’s disciplinary process. He described the ethics committee’s decision as politically motivated and accused party leadership of manipulating internal rules to sideline dissenting voices.

Party Rebranding Ahead of Local Elections

The expulsion comes as the People Power Party struggles to regroup ahead of June’s local elections. Current party leader Jang Dong-hyeok has emphasized the need to restore trust among conservative voters and distance the party from controversies linked to the martial law episode. Observers say the decision to expel Han reflects a broader effort to draw a clear line between the party’s current leadership and internal critics.

According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, the internal conflict has been simmering for months, complicating efforts to present a unified front. Party strategists believe resolving the dispute, even through a divisive decision, may help stabilize the party’s image.

Leadership Turmoil and Hunger Strike

Jang Dong-hyeok chaired the supreme council meeting that confirmed Han’s expulsion, marking his first official appearance after an eight-day hunger strike. The protest was aimed at pressuring authorities to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations involving the Unification Church and claims of bribery linked to ruling party nominations. His return underscored the intensity of political tensions within conservative circles.

Han’s Background in Law and Politics

Before entering politics, Han Dong-hoon built a high-profile career as a prosecutor specializing in anti-corruption cases. He worked closely with Yoon Suk Yeol in securing convictions against former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, as well as prominent business and political figures. Han later served as justice minister from May 2022 to December 2023 before leading the People Power Party from July to December 2024.

His expulsion marks a dramatic turn for a figure once seen as a central pillar of conservative leadership, highlighting the ongoing realignment within South Korea’s opposition politics.