Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon holds a press conference in front of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 3rd, regarding the 1st anniversary of the December 3rd emergency martial law. [Photo = Yonhap News]

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon admitted on December 30th of last year, through appearances on SBS radio and other platforms, that his family members had posted slanderous remarks about President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife on the party members' bulletin board.

They had remained silent until now, utilizing the anonymity provided by the bulletin board. However, they were forced to speak out after the results of the party's disciplinary audit committee investigation were released.

The People Power Party's Disciplinary Audit Committee has been actively investigating the issue of slanderous posts on the party members' bulletin board, which was raised in November 2024. The investigation began in earnest in October of last year, after the current leader, Jang Dong-hyuk, took office.

87.6% of Total Posts Originated from Just Two IPs, Indicating Manipulation of Public Opinion

Announcing the investigation results on December 30th of last year, the Disciplinary Audit Committee concluded, "The accounts in question share the same names as five members of former leader Han's family, and it has been confirmed that 87.6% (1,428 cases) of the total posts originated from just two Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, indicating manipulation of public opinion." The committee also announced its decision to refer the matter to the Central Ethics Committee.

An IP address is a unique identification number assigned to every digital device connected to the internet, such as computers and smartphones. In essence, it is like a "home address." Therefore, it serves as a crucial clue for tracing the location or device from which a specific post was created.

Not only did the account names of the slanderous posts on the party members' bulletin board exactly match the real names and birthdates of former leader Han's family members, but many of the accounts using those IP addresses shared the same last four digits of their mobile phone numbers. Furthermore, the registered residential district for all of them was the same: Gangnam-gu B, Seoul.

"Blame Me If My Family's Actions Are Blameworthy"... Han Admits Facts Amid Overwhelming Evidence

Following the release of the Disciplinary Audit Committee's findings, which presented irrefutable evidence, former leader Han immediately stated on broadcast, "I later learned that my family members had posted critical articles," and "If my family posting under their own names is blameworthy, then blame me," partially admitting the facts.

Attitude Reverses in Just One Day... "Political Manipulation, Will Seek Legal Responsibility"

However, just one day later, on the 31st of the same month, he announced via social media (SNS) that he would seek legal responsibility from Lee Ho-sun, the chairman of the Disciplinary Audit Committee, for spreading false information and defamation, claiming that "they manipulated the post owner's identity by fabricating posts by someone with the same name as Han Dong-hoon as if they were from my family."

Within the People Power Party, figures from the pro-Han faction are defending him, calling the announcement "fabricated" and "political manipulation." Conversely, opposing factions are demanding a formal apology and resignation from former leader Han.

Despite the clear facts that have emerged, the pro-Han faction's engagement in a baseless fight is seen by insiders and outsiders of the party as being driven by the irresistible lure of party leadership and nomination control ahead of the June local elections.

By Reporter Park Hye-soo