First public stance on policy issues since the general election
“Excessive restrictions on consumer choice need to be reconsidered”
Observed shifting focus towards running in party convention
“Quick stance disclosure, a move of a practical politician”,
Han Dong-hoon, former emergency measures committee chairman of the People Power Party, after announcing his resignation as emergency measures committee chairman the day after the April 10 general election on April 11 at the party’s central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, interacting with party officials and personnel before leaving the party. ⓒDailyan Hong Geum-pyo Reporter, “[Dailyan = Reporter Jung Do-won] Han Dong-hoon, former emergency measures committee chairman of the People Power Party, publicly expressed a critical stance on the ‘regulation of overseas direct purchases,’ which has been causing controversy since the government’s policy announcement. This is the first time that Han has publicly stated his position on a policy issue since the April 10 general election, leading to speculation that it is a signal of his approach toward challenging for leadership in the People Power Party.”,
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, ‘On the evening of the 18th, Han wrote on Facebook, “Overseas direct purchases are popular among the people, amounting to over 6 trillion won annually, and I also occasionally make overseas direct purchases,” and expressed his position that “the regulation requiring KC certification for personal overseas direct purchases excessively limits consumer choice and needs to be reconsidered.”‘,
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, ‘Earlier, the government announced that starting next month, it will prohibit overseas direct purchases for 80 items, including electrical and household items, that do not have KC certification, at the Incheon Airport Customs Headquarters. However, following this announcement, strong opposition voices have emerged online regardless of age, gender, or political inclination.’,
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, ‘In connection with this, Han expressed concerns that “Ensuring the safety of products in order to protect domestic consumers is the government’s natural duty,” but he feared that “if KC certification is mandatory for personal overseas direct purchases like the announcement on May 16, the scope and method of application are ambiguous and overly broad, leading to excessive regulations.”‘,
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, ‘He also criticized, saying, “Our government should boldly reform regulations and guarantee fair competition and consumer choice.”‘,
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, ‘Han, who took responsibility for the defeat in the April 10 general election and stepped down as the emergency measures committee chairman, publicly announced his stance through SNS. This is the second time he has done so since the general election. However, considering that his previous SNS post on the 20th was a principled stance encouraging party members and supporters in distress, the public disclosure of his stance on policy and political current affairs is practically the first time since the general election.’,
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, ‘Observations have been made that Han’s focus is gradually shifting towards running in the People Power Party’s next party convention.’,
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, ‘A People Power Party official said, “There is simmering discontent regarding the ‘regulation of overseas direct purchases,’ and it is not common for Han Dong-hoon to promptly declare his stance on Saturday evening before the government’s supplementary explanation scheduled for tomorrow (the 19th). This should be seen as the move of a practical politician. If he is already considered a practical politician, facing the temptation of challenging for leadership from outside the party would be difficult.”‘,