Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, criticized the “dinner politics” following the meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the party. He expressed his confusion on why the Yoon administration seems to run into trouble after every meal. He appeared on SBS Radio’s “Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show” and suggested that both Yoon and Han avoid having meals together in the future.
Regarding concerns about protocol and the “Han Dong-hoon neglect theory” arising from seating arrangements during the dinner, Kim stated that the issues do not stem from neglecting protocol. He suggested that such issues could have emerged regardless of the venue or the method of the meeting.
Kim further critiqued President Yoon’s statement at Beomeosa, where he mentioned considering the difficulties as karma and focusing on his duty without wavering for the country and its people. Kim pointed out that the challenges facing the President are not karma. Instead, they are issues Yoon should actively resolve using various strategies.
Kim emphasized that as the top leader responsible for the nation’s governance, Yoon should not accept taking hits passively. Similarly, he criticized Rep. Han, stating that the public expects resolution and unity, not increased conflict.
He highlighted that if the outcome of such meetings only burdens and worries the public, it might have been better not to hold them in the first place.
It was reported that after Yoon’s meeting with Han on the 21st, he held a dinner with the party’s floor leader Chu Kyung-ho. On the following day, Han had an unplanned dinner gathering with pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmakers.