Latest news with #Jeon
Korea Herald
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Far right rears its head in conservative leadership race
South Korea's main opposition People Power Party is heading into a turbulent leadership race — with a far-right firebrand gaining support and threatening a hostile leadership takeover as the party reels from its June 3 election defeat. Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate who was labor minister in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, declared his candidacy on Sunday in the party's Aug. 22 leadership election. In his announcement, Kim accused the Lee Jae-myung administration of exerting improper influence over the legislative and judicial branches, referring to Lee as a 'criminal' and 'autocrat' — language often used by critics of the current administration, including supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Kim also said the party 'should accept his membership and keep the doors open unless there's a particular issue,' when asked about the recent entry of Jeon Han-gil, a far-right YouTube personality and former history lecturer. Jeon, a vocal opponent of Yoon's impeachment, was revealed last week to have joined the People Power Party in early June — a belated disclosure that has sparked growing controversy. In an interview Friday with broadcaster Channel A, Jeon said he would run for party leader "if there is no suitable candidate who supports" Yoon. Despite having no formal political expeience or electoral record, he has built a loyal following among hard-line conservatives by spreading conspiracy theories — including claims that the Democratic Party of Korea seized power through election fraud — and by urging voters to rally behind candidates loyal to Yoon. Observers say that Jeon's appeal lies in his role as a megaphone for the party's most extreme base. "He gives voice to the hardcore pro-Yoon base — and like it or not, that translates into real support for the People Power Party," said a source who previously served on the People Power Party's June 3 campaign team. "Other lawmakers stage sit-ins and nobody cares. But when Jeon speaks, his far-right remarks go viral. He's someone the party can no longer simply ignore." On Saturday, Jeon further escalated his rhetoric, questioning whether he or former party leader Han Dong-hoon was the "true leader of the conservative bloc." He added, "We must take over the People Power Party," calling on his supporters to unite behind a pro-Yoon candidate. The next day, Han — a key reformist voice who has emphasized the need to distance the party from Yoon — issued a sharp rebuttal, condemning both Jeon and Kim's approach as a dead end for the conservative bloc. "When the question itself is absurd, there can be no right answer. The idea of asking 'who is the party's rightful owner' shows the essence of extremism," Han wrote on Facebook. "Turning the PPP into a far-right party is a sure path to collapse. ... If we go down this road, conservatism will never reclaim power." Han is also reported to be considering a bid for the party leadership. Jeon's eligibility to run, however, remains in question. Under People Power Party rules, leadership candidates must have paid party dues for at least three months before registering. With registration set for July 30–31, Jeon — who joined on June 9 — falls short of this requirement. Still, the People Power Party might bend the rules if necessary, according to the same source. "The game of rules can change — it already did during the presidential race," the source said, referring to the party leadership's failed attempt to replace Kim with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as its presidential nominee, even after the final primary. Other prominent figures who have distanced themselves from Yoon have yet to present a clear strategy to counter the party's internal divisions and the growing influence of the far-right. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a former presidential contender, has criticized Jeon's entry into the race as "inappropriate" and said the party should reject him. Earlier this month, Ahn stepped down as head of the party's reform committee — launched on July 2 in an effort to restore public support — and declared his candidacy for the party's leadership election. Rep. Na Kyung-won, another former presidential contender and once a front-runner for party leadership, announced Sunday that she would not run, saying she would take her share of responsibility for the party's election defeat. Meantime, the PPP's reform drive — once viewed as key to recovering from its presidential defeat — is losing steam. Led by Rep. Yoon Hee-sook, the reform committee proposed revising the party charter to include formal apologies for Yoon's martial law declaration and impeachment. However, the proposals are widely expected to face immediate backlash from Yoon loyalists in senior party positions, many of whom would be blocked from running for another Assembly term under the plans.
Korea Herald
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Conservative leadership race begins amid far-right push for power
South Korea's main opposition People Power Party is heading into a turbulent leadership race — with a far-right firebrand gaining ground and threatening to upend the party's future, while the party is still reeling from its June 3 presidential defeat. Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate who was labor minister in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, declared his candidacy on Sunday in the party's Aug. 22 leadership election. In his announcement, Kim echoed far-right talking points, blaming the Lee Jae Myung administration for what he called a collapse of Korea's three branches of power and labeling Lee a 'criminal' and 'autocrat' — rhetoric popular among Yoon's most ardent supporters. Kim rose to prominence within pro-Yoon circles last year when he refused to apologize for the December martial law declaration during a parliamentary hearing — a rare show of defiance among Yoon's former Cabinet members, most of whom expressed regret under pressure. That act solidified his image as a faithful standard-bearer for Yoon's legacy. But even before Kim's announcement, attention had already turned to a far more polarizing figure: Jeon Han-gil, a far-right YouTube personality and former history lecturer. On Friday, Jeon suggested he would enter the race if no other Yoon-aligned candidate stepped forward, speaking in an interview with local broadcaster Channel A. Despite having no formal political experience or electoral record, Jeon has built a loyal following among hard-line conservatives through the dissemination of conspiracy theories — including allegations that the Democratic Party of Korea came to power through election fraud — and by calling on voters to rally behind candidates loyal to Yoon. Observers say Jeon's popularity stems from his perceived role as a megaphone for the party's most extreme supporters. 'He gives voice to the hardcore pro-Yoon base — and like it or not, that translates into real votes,' said a source who previously served on the People Power Party's June 3 campaign team. 'Other lawmakers stage sit-ins and nobody cares. But when Jeon speaks, his far-right remarks go viral. He's someone the party can no longer simply ignore.' On Saturday, Jeon further escalated his rhetoric, questioning whether he himself or Han Dong-hoon — the party's former leader — was the 'true leader of the conservative right.' He declared, 'We must take over the People Power Party,' signaling his intent to run and calling on tens of thousands of party members to unite behind a pro-Yoon candidate. The next day, Han — a key reformist voice who has emphasized the need for the party to distance itself from Yoon — issued a sharp response, warning against the normalization of extremism. 'Freedom of speech is not a license for hate and anti-intellectual extremism,' Han wrote on Facebook. 'Our party cannot become a joke — a white dwarf shrunk into a far-right sect that alienates the public and hands long-term power to the liberals.' Jeon's eligibility to run, however, remains in question. Under People Power Party rules, leadership candidates must have paid party dues for at least three months before registering. With registration set for July 30–31, Jeon — who joined on June 9 — falls short of this requirement. Still, some believe party leadership may bend the rules. 'The game of rules can change,' the same source said, noting that the party had recently attempted to replace its presidential candidate even after the final primary — referring to former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Other prominent reform-minded figures have refrained from directly confronting Jeon, instead keeping their distance from the Yoon-aligned faction. Rep. Na Kyung-won, a former presidential primary contender and one-time front-runner for the party leadership, announced Sunday she would not run, citing responsibility for the party's recent electoral defeat. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, another former presidential candidate who declared his bid for party leader earlier this month, reportedly had lunch with Han on Saturday — a meeting that sparked speculation of a centrist alliance. The discussion was widely seen as focusing more on how to navigate the party's internal discord than on coordinating a joint campaign. Meanwhile, the People Power Party's internal reform effort — once seen as a critical path to restoring public trust — is also being eclipsed by the leadership race. Officially launched on July 2 and led by Rep. Yoon Hee-sook, the reform committee proposed revising the party charter to include formal apologies for Yoon's martial law declaration and impeachment. The proposals are expected to be discussed at the party's emergency meeting on Monday, but they are also expected to face immediate internal backlash and remain unresolved.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
South Korea: Special counsel raids shaman linked to ex-first lady Kim
Seoul: Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's team investigating various allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday raided the office of a controversial shaman linked to her alleged acceptance of luxury gifts from a religious group three years ago. The team sent prosecutors and investigators to the office of shaman Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, in the morning to secure documents and computer files related to his suspected delivery of gifts to Kim. Jeon is suspected of receiving a diamond necklace and an expensive bag from a high-ranking Unification Church official between April and August of 2022, soon after Yoon Suk Yeol's election as president in March of the same year, and delivering the gifts to Kim, Yonhap news agency reported. The church official reportedly demanded some business favors from the Yoon government in return for the alleged gifts. Jeon has said he received the gifts but lost them all. The special counsel team has been investigating 16 criminal allegations against the former first lady, including her alleged role in stock price manipulation schemes and her alleged meddling in election nominations. Assistant Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-ju told reporters the team has filed for a warrant to detain Kim Ye-seong, a close acquaintance of the former first lady who it believes fled to Vietnam in April. "We take it that neither Kim nor his wife has any intention to return home voluntarily and appear (for questioning) as they have not reached out to the special counsel," Moon said. In the event a warrant is issued, Moon said the team will take steps to invalidate his passport. Kim Ye-seong, who is often dubbed the butler of the former first lady's family, is suspected of receiving 18 billion won ($13.1 million) in dubious investments from several companies through his rental car company IMS in 2023. --IANS int/bpd/rs
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Shaman's office searched over alleged gifts for Kim Keon Hee
Special counsel expands investigation into ex-first lady's corruption ties with shaman A special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki to look into allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee carried out a search and seizure operation on Tuesday at the office of the shaman Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, in Gangnam, southern Seoul, as part of an investigation into suspected corruption ties. The special counsel team reportedly dispatched prosecutors and investigators to secure evidence, including documents and digital data, related to Jeon's alleged violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and his alleged connection to Kim. Tuesday's raid by the special counsel is also seen as a continuation of the prosecution's past efforts to look into luxury handbags linked to accusations of bribery against Kim. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office previously investigated the shaman and a high-ranking Unification Church official, surnamed Yoon, who reportedly claimed that he gave a diamond necklace estimated to be worth 60 million won ($43,000) and luxury handbags of unknown value to Jeon, allegedly as a gift for the former first lady after Yoon Suk Yeol won the presidential election in 2022. The church official is suspected of lobbying the former presidential couple through Jeon in order to gain support for projects in the church's interests, including business operations in Cambodia. Two Chanel handbags were reportedly delivered to Kim's former aide Yoo Kyung-ok, who tried to exchange the handbags for models that would better appeal to young people on Jeon's advice. The first lady's attorneys have admitted that Yoo received the Chanel bags due to the shaman's insistence. But they say that Kim never received them, denying the former first lady had any connection to the matter. Jeon also testified in the prosecution's investigation in May that the luxury bags that were handed over to Yoo were not delivered to Kim. But the shaman claimed he lost the bags after retrieving them from Yoo. Jeon, who served in a lesser leadership role on Yoon's campaign team during the 2022 presidential election and is believed to have been involved in decision-making, has also been accused of flaunting personal connections with the former presidential couple to influence business interests in the past. The Unification Church official surnamed Yoon was one of those who sent Jeon a bundle of cash — amounting to 30 million won — under the pretext of a 'prayer fee.' The special counsel is expected to look into the nature of the relationship between Jeon and the former first lady after analyzing the items collected in Tuesday's search and seizure.
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Special counsel raids shaman linked to ex-first lady Kim
Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's team investigating various allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday raided the office of a controversial shaman linked to her alleged acceptance of luxury gifts from a religious group three years ago. The team sent prosecutors and investigators to the office of shaman Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, in the morning to secure documents and computer files related to his suspected delivery of gifts to Kim. Jeon is suspected of receiving a diamond necklace and an expensive bag from a high-ranking Unification Church official between April and August of 2022, soon after Yoon Suk Yeol's election as president in March of the same year, and delivering the gifts to Kim. The church official reportedly demanded some business favors from the Yoon government in return for the alleged gifts. Jeon has said he received the gifts but lost them all. (Yonhap)
