Han Dong-hoon, former chair of the ruling People Power Party, officially declared his presidential bid Thursday, presenting himself as the candidate most feared by Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
“Who can defeat Lee Jae-myung? Who does he fear the most?” Han said during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. “We must choose someone who can win. I will achieve a decisive victory, together with the people.”
Calling for a “political and generational transformation,” Han pledged to reform the Constitution, including a shift to a four-year, renewable presidency and the introduction of a bicameral legislature. He proposed establishing an upper house while abolishing proportional representation seats, keeping the total number of lawmakers at 300.
To synchronize the terms of the president and the National Assembly, he suggested holding the next presidential and general elections simultaneously. “That’s the only way to end the cycle of extreme political strife,” he said.
“The next president must not run in the presidential election three years from now. All candidates must demonstrate responsibility and a willingness to sacrifice,” he added.
Han, who formerly served as justice minister under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, made his first foray into politics as the leader of the ruling People Power Party in December 2023, ahead of the general election the following year.
Once part of Yoon’s inner circle due to their shared background as prosecutors, Han later became the face of the party’s non-Yoon faction during the 2024 campaign, reportedly clashing with Yoon over candidate nominations. After Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly, Han stepped down as party chair.
Han now joins a growing field of contenders for the presidency in the People Power Party. On Wednesday, Kim Moon-soo, former labor minister under the Yoon administration, and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo announced their candidacies.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is expected to declare his bid over the weekend, while Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min are reportedly preparing to announce their campaigns next week.
According to the People Power Party, four candidates will be selected in the first round of a primary, based entirely on public opinion polls. The second round will narrow the field to two finalists, determined by a combination of 50 percent public polling and 50 percent votes from registered party members. The final nominee will also be chosen using the same method and announced on May 3.
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