The controversy surrounding posts allegedly criticizing President Yoon Suk-yeol and his spouse, purportedly made by the family of People’s Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon on the party’s member forum, has reignited factional conflicts within the ruling party. Han Dong-hoon addressed the issue after a party meeting on the 14th, mentioning the importance of avoiding unnecessary division over the matter. His response came nine days after the controversy first emerged, amid calls from pro-Yoon factions to verify if the posts were genuinely made by Han’s family.
The party’s member board requires real-name verification, and an error had temporarily allowed users to search posts by full names, which revealed a user with the same name as Han’s family members had uploaded numerous posts, many of which were critical of the President and his wife. Although the party resolved the error, discussions continue with some members demanding an inquiry into whether Han’s family was involved, citing potential misuse of their names causing party division.
Pro-Yoon factions have been vocal, suggesting investigations into the matter to address any internal inconsistencies. Meanwhile, others argue such probes are challenging due to privacy concerns and potential difficulties in prosecuting based on defamatory posts. This internal conflict coincides with other political discussions, including proposed appointments and legal reforms, illustrating ongoing tensions within the party amidst a backdrop of potential electoral implications.