Ahn Cheol-soo opposes Han Dong-hoon rejoining the PPP

Representative Ahn Cheol-soo of South Korea's conservative People Power Party (PPP) stated his unequivocal opposition on July 12 to independent Representative Han Dong-hoon rejoining the party. The public rejection highlights an escalating internal dispute between the two prominent conservative figures over their respective actions during a recent national crisis.

The conflict stems from proceedings in the ongoing trial of Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho, which centers on events surrounding the December 3, 2024, emergency martial law declaration. The trial requires testimony from senior political figures to establish the sequence of directives issued to lawmakers as the crisis unfolded.

On July 8, Ahn testified in court that Han, serving as the PPP leader during the martial law declaration, instructed party lawmakers to convene at the party headquarters rather than the National Assembly. Han has publicly refuted this account, characterizing Ahn's statement as a distortion of facts and warning of legal action. In response, Ahn maintains that his testimony relies on confirmed facts and internal party documents.

The disagreement has since moved from a factual dispute to a procedural standoff. Ahn criticized Han for failing to appear in court despite receiving multiple summons as a witness in the Choo Kyung-ho trial. In his statements on July 12, Ahn urged the former party leader to formally present his claims under oath rather than contesting the testimony through public channels.

This confrontation over historical accountability exposes a clear rift within South Korea's conservative political landscape. Ahn has taken an increasingly assertive public stance in recent weeks, including calls earlier in July for the delisting of high-volatility single-stock leverage ETFs tracking companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. His active opposition to Han's return indicates that the unresolved legal and political fallout from the 2024 martial law period will continue to complicate the PPP's internal leadership dynamics.