Seoul

Han Dong-hoon, a former interim leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP), has been elected as the new party leader without a runoff, securing 62.8% of the vote. His closest competitor, former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, received 18.8%, while Representatives Na Kyung-won and Yoon Sang-hyun garnered 14.6% and 3.7%, respectively.

President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the party’s national convention at KINTEX in Goyang for the second year in a row, marking his continued engagement with the party. This follows Han’s resignation in April after the party’s significant defeat in the parliamentary elections.

Han’s election as party leader raises concerns about the future of the party’s relationship with President Yoon. Han, a former justice minister and previously seen as a close ally of Yoon, had contentious interactions with the president over several issues, including allegations involving the first lady, Kim Keon Hee. Tensions flared this month when Han reportedly ignored text messages from Kim aimed at resolving a controversy regarding her receipt of a luxury bag in 2022.