Han Ji-ah: "Disciplinary Action by Leader and Ethics Committee That Lost Trust Cannot Succeed... 'Solo Politics' Beyond Self-Serving Politics"

- Abolishing supplementary investigation rights? Already decided by public judgment
- Do not want a world where victims suffer more than criminals
- Silent Democratic Party lawmakers, come out proudly
- Not speaking up in this situation is a dereliction of duty
- Ahn Cheol-soo, disappointing to declare emotional politics of exclusion
- Ahn, hope to see politics of working together, not doing politics alone
- Han Dong-hoon's reinstatement is a matter of time; creating a new party? Division is unacceptable
- Both Representative Jang Dong-hyeok and the People Power Party's Ethics Committee have lost trust
- Ethics Committee disciplinary action? Make it strong, and include the support case for Han Duck-soo

■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00)
■ Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Han Ji-ah, People Power Party Lawmaker

[Kim Tae-hyun]: From now on, we will be joined by Representative Han Ji-ah of the People Power Party. Let's talk about the results of the People Power Party's general meeting of lawmakers yesterday, and Representative Jang Dong-hyeok's recent moves. Hello, Representative.

[Han Ji-ah]: Hello.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: It has been a while, Representative.

[Han Ji-ah]: It's been a while. Nice to see you.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Nice to see you too. There was a general meeting of lawmakers yesterday, right?

[Han Ji-ah]: That's correct.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Looking at the bills, they said they would propose a bill to maintain supplementary investigation rights.

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: But it seems there is some debate going on in the Democratic Party as well. Will they accept the People Power Party's proposal?

[Han Ji-ah]: But it's not a matter of choice whether to accept it or not. The abolition of supplementary investigation rights has already been judged and decided by the public.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that so?

[Han Ji-ah]: That is how I see it. Seeing the bereaved family of the victim in the Jang Yoon-ki case crying and venting their grief... I won't go into details because the rest has already been discussed, but surely a world where such victims suffer more than criminals is not what the Democratic Party wants. The public has already expressed through many opinion polls that they oppose such a bill to abolish supplementary investigation rights, which is by the Democratic Party and for the Democratic Party. Just looking at that one scene, the tears of the bereaved family, makes it desperately clear that it shouldn't happen. What is unfortunate is that our People Power Party has not yet gained 100% of the public's trust, so it is true that what our party says lacks resonance and impact. However, this is sincere, and I want to say that the People Power Party's alternative to the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, which prevents the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, was unanimously approved yesterday.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: And one more thing I want to say is that there are some Democratic Party lawmakers who are remaining silent.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: On this issue?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes. Looking at the articles, they hide behind anonymity to express their opinions, but they should come out. It is so irresponsible. I really want to say that the reason they are in those positions is to speak up at times like this. Just as I did after the martial law, not speaking up in a situation like this is a dereliction of duty on their part.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: But for the bill proposed by the People Power Party to gain momentum, you first need to enter the National Assembly, but the negotiations over the formation of the assembly committees are tangled up.

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: What did you decide to do yesterday? Is the conclusion to accept these seven committees, or is it an out-of-parliament struggle? Has a conclusion been reached?

[Han Ji-ah]: We didn't talk much about that yesterday, and for now, we decided to follow the judgment of the floor leadership.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: The leadership.

[Han Ji-ah]: Opinions are divided right now. Because in the case of the Democratic Party, they say they entered the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for the stable implementation of the Lee Jae-myung administration's state affairs and reform tasks. But looking at it now, the Lee Jae-myung administration's opinion on the abolition of supplementary investigation rights is different from that of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Democratic Party. This has already revealed that their intentions were not so pure. Even if our People Power Party does not enter, we will still propose the current bill. We will continue to talk within the assembly while carrying out behind-the-scenes negotiations and struggles. But if we go in and talk, it will turn out the same way. We will show ourselves fighting, Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairperson Seo Young-kyo will shout, and we will end up just being extras. We cannot do that.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: So, I want to say that negotiations over the formation of the assembly will continue. Still, since bills related to public livelihoods must be passed, we ask the Democratic Party for a common-sense operation of the National Assembly.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: I see. Representative, changing the subject, let's talk about Representative Ahn Cheol-soo. There was a back-and-forth with Representative Han Dong-hoon regarding what happened on the day of martial law, and also a back-and-forth with you, Representative Han Ji-ah. First of all, in his press conference on Sunday, he told Han not to reinstate his party membership, right? He said not to even come near the People Power Party, and that he would rather support him if he starts a new party. Why do you think Representative Ahn Cheol-soo is saying at this specific timing that Han shouldn't even come near the People Power Party and that it will be noisy if he enters?

[Han Ji-ah]: I don't really know the reason. Since he is a multi-term lawmaker who has been in politics for a long time, he must know that we can only build a healthier People Power Party by joining forces, and that we must join forces to win the 2028 general election. So I was a bit puzzled by him saying that. I would like to say it was disappointing to see his emotional voice and his declaration of the politics of exclusion.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: What we need is politics of working together, not doing politics alone, right? I hope he shows that, and if juniors like me are lacking in that regard, please teach us. I am willing to learn.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Do you think Representative Ahn Cheol-soo might also have the intention of blocking the reinstatement of Representative Han Dong-hoon—one of his strongest rivals for the next party leadership and presidential candidacy—to shape the lineup to his advantage?

[Han Ji-ah]: I don't want to believe he did it with that intention. However, many people are saying that. In fact, around the time Representative Ahn Cheol-soo testified to the media or held his press conference, the pro-leadership faction—so-called party spokespersons—acted like loudspeakers, interpreting his words. Since such behavior can cause misunderstandings that it is a move toward party leadership...

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: And as I said earlier, I hope he shows actions and steps toward politics of working together rather than doing politics alone, and as a junior, I will learn.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: But Representative Ahn Cheol-soo said something like this. He criticized, saying, "They attacked, mocked, and condemned a multi-term lawmaker of their own party who testified to the facts in court. Focusing on a public relations war is clear defamation."

[Han Ji-ah]: Since he is a multi-term lawmaker, I hope he shows the wisdom of a senior statesman. Also, like me, he has a medical background, right?

[Kim Tae-hyun]: That's right.

[Han Ji-ah]: It's the same. In the end, data is facts. Any medical professional knows that depending on how you present and arrange data, the truth can actually be distorted.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: I'm not saying the facts Representative Ahn Cheol-soo mentioned are wrong, but depending on how we talk about certain facts, the truth can actually drift further away from the actual truth.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: Actually, after Representative Ahn made that testimony, looking at the headlines of the articles, headlines actually appeared as if these things happened because Representative Han Dong-hoon called a general meeting of lawmakers at the party headquarters. And as I mentioned earlier, the party spokespersons over-interpreted it like a loudspeaker. Then, unfortunately, whether he intended it or not, even though he spoke the facts, the truth was already distorted. In court, the realm of politics—my side, your side, people I like, people I dislike—should not interfere. I think the courtroom is a place where you speak to bring the facts as close to the truth as possible, though I've never been to court myself.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Just for reference, the court probably won't view Representative Ahn Cheol-soo's testimony as highly credible because he spoke of it as hearsay, saying it was what he heard. Since he said, "I heard it like this," the evidentiary value of hearsay testimony is low, so the court probably won't adopt it much. That's how I see it, since it's hearsay. Anyway, Representative Ahn is telling him not to reinstate his membership. So, Representative Cho Gap-je said that if Representative Han Dong-hoon cannot reinstate his membership because someone opposes it, he should start a party based in Busan since Busan is his constituency. Some commentators are talking about this as an idea. What do you think about this?

[Han Ji-ah]: I think politics is about persuasion. In the end, we shouldn't divide; as I said earlier about going together, we must join forces. Representative Han Dong-hoon said he would come back at any time, and I think many lawmakers are probably moving now to create such a foundation. Please give it some time. The direction remains the same, and I think it is just a matter of time.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: So as time goes on, Representative Han Dong-hoon's reinstatement will happen naturally, regardless of Representative Ahn Cheol-soo's opposition?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes. There is no rush right now. However, those who are in a hurry in the party are probably the many sensible people in our conservative camp. I think that is the root of Representative Cho Gap-je's talk about starting a new party. I apologize, and we will work harder.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: In any case, you are saying there is no rush on our end.

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Representative, when you think about your future before going to sleep, which way do you lean: "I will face strong disciplinary action," or "Surely they wouldn't discipline me"? Because they don't seem to say anything to Representatives Bae Hyun-jin, Park Jeong-hun, and Ko Dong-jin, who ate chicken. Representative Jin Jong-oh found a house, and you, Representative Han Ji-ah, went with then-preliminary candidate Han Dong-hoon when he registered as a candidate, which the so-called pro-leadership faction seems to view unfavorably. What do you think? Do you expect a strong disciplinary action?

[Han Ji-ah]: If they make it strong, they can make it strong. However, that strong disciplinary action shouldn't just be applied to me. They should apply the same standards and principles strongly to those who went to candidate Han Duck-soo's press conference and were with him when he declared his candidacy.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: I want to say this. Representative Jang Dong-hyeok's "disciplinary politics" has actually already failed, is failing, and will continue to fail. By doing so, he has already lost trust.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Trust within the party.

[Han Ji-ah]: He has lost trust within the party. And the Ethics Committee lost trust as the injunction was accepted. Therefore, if they think that a leader who has lost trust continuing self-serving politics with an Ethics Committee that has lost trust will succeed, the people around him are also gravely mistaken.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Since you used the term "self-serving politics" for Representative Jang Dong-hyeok—though the media often calls it "disciplinary politics"—there is one more thing the media is looking at regarding Representative Jang's moves: "disciplinary politics" and "out-of-parliament politics." After staying at Olympic Park for a while, he recently went to Incheon and has now gone to Busan. Only the so-called leadership lawmakers went and held events. How do you view these out-of-parliament moves?

[Han Ji-ah]: Following self-serving politics, this is "solo politics."

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Solo politics?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes. It is solo politics. The position of party leader is a leadership position, isn't it? They must persuade party members and lead them so that our party can face the public. Only then can we, of course, win the 2028 general election. But that leader, the person who should be leading our party, is ultimately being dragged around by hardline supporters. However, most lawmakers are not dragged around like that. They try to speak the right voice and are persuading those party members one by one in their constituencies. That is what politics is, isn't it? And in a way, that is what social leaders or politicians should do. Please put down solo politics, self-serving politics, and hardline politics, and let's go together. If you cannot do that, you should resign.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Didn't the topic of resignation come up at yesterday's general meeting of lawmakers?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yesterday, we had no time to talk about Representative Jang Dong-hyeok. With so many public livelihood issues piled up, and seeing the tears of the bereaved family of the victim in the Jang Yoon-ki case, how could we talk about Representative Jang Dong-hyeok right now?

[Kim Tae-hyun]: But Representative Jang Dong-hyeok seems to have absolutely no intention of resigning, and he said yesterday, "I am contemplating how to innovate and change our party. There will be a time to announce this to the public soon." He says he will announce his own innovation plan. What do you expect will be included in this?

[Han Ji-ah]: As you said, it will probably be an innovation plan in his own way. An innovation plan of solo politics will not have any resonance. He always talks as if it's a preview and as if he is going to announce something big, but the result is always the same: it falls short of expectations. If that's what he's going to do, please don't announce an innovation plan at all.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: And if he is going to propose an innovation plan, shouldn't there be a consensus within the party? No one has heard anything about it in advance.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: That's true.

[Han Ji-ah]: If the floor leadership doesn't know, the lawmakers don't know, and only the close pro-leadership faction knows, how is that any different from the way the Democratic Party operates the National Assembly, pushing through legislative amendments by the Democratic Party and for the Democratic Party?

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Looking at it recently, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sig talks about a "people-centered party," while Representative Jang Dong-hyeok talks about a "party member-centered party." The two top leaders themselves have different thoughts. Do you think this innovation plan will also include things like strengthening party member sovereignty?

[Han Ji-ah]: I want to say this. A party exists because party members exist.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: That's true.

[Han Ji-ah]: But a party exists for the public. In the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party split over 50 billion won in state subsidies. That is for us to build a healthy political party, conduct good politics, and serve the public.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: But now they want to include content centered on party members, and hardline party members at that. Former Representative Jung Chung-rae, who wants to head in that direction, and Representative Jang Dong-hyeok of the Democratic Party are gravely mistaken. Make a party member-centered party that is for the public and faces the public.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: In any case, you are saying that if Representative Jang Dong-hyeok is going to continue self-serving politics and solo politics, he should rather resign?

[Han Ji-ah]: That is what I think.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: In any case, you don't think moving toward a party member-centered party is the right direction either, do you?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes. Fundamentally, it must face the public.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Currently, the national convention rules are 8 to 2, right?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Do you think a proposal to change it to 9 to 1 or even 10 to 0 could come up? Because if former Representative Han reinstates his membership and holds a national convention, it would be disadvantageous to him.

[Han Ji-ah]: Since the current Jang Dong-hyeok leadership actually goes beyond imagination, I don't know what kind of proposal will come out. However, I believe the reconstruction of conservatism begins with creating a system where we can win elections when we are equipped with common sense and a grand cause.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.

[Han Ji-ah]: For such party leader rules, even going 5 to 5 is not enough right now.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: You mean the ratio reflecting public opinion polls should be raised to 5 or higher?

[Han Ji-ah]: Yes.

[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. We will stop here. That was Representative Han Ji-ah of the People Power Party. Thank you.

[Han Ji-ah]: Thank you.

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※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.