Han Dong-hoon, former interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), plans to announce his bid for leader of the embattled party next week, officials said Thursday. Han is said to have reached out to PPP lawmakers recently to call for their support as he prepares to announce his intention to enter the race for the next PPP chief, according to the officials. He plans to make an official announcement at the National Assembly on Sunday. The former justice minister led the PPP through the April 10 general elections before stepping down to claim responsibility for the party's crushing defeat. Han, who had been considered a close ally to President Yoon Suk Yeol, had clashed with Yoon over a number of politically sensitive issues in the run-up to the elections, including how to handle allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received a luxury bag as a gift in 2022. Other potential candidates for the PPP leader include former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, as well as five-term lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Yo on Sang-hyun. The PPP, which has been led by an emergency committee since August 2022 after former party chairman Lee Jun-seok was removed as leader, plans to hold a national convention on July 23 to elect its new chief. Source: Yonhap News Agency
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