Yoon, new PPP chief Han Dong-hoon stress harmony in dinner for new party leadership
![President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, locks hands with new People Power Party Chairman Han Dong-hoon for a commemorative photo ahead of a dinner for the PPP’s new leadership in front of the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Wednesday evening. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/07/25/4fb9c2bd-132c-408e-a67a-02268f12e246.jpg)
President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, locks hands with new People Power Party Chairman Han Dong-hoon for a commemorative photo ahead of a dinner for the PPP’s new leadership in front of the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Wednesday evening. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]
Yoon hosted a banquet for the PPP's leadership from 6:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. at Pine Grass, a garden in front of the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul. Newly elected supreme council members, floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and candidates who ran in the party leadership race also attended the gathering.
The dinner took place just one day after Han, the former PPP interim chief, was elected as the party's new chairman in a decisive victory in its national convention.
At the banquet, Yoon congratulated the launch of the new PPP leadership and pledged to work in harmony with the party to revive the people's livelihood and complete reform tasks, presidential spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon said in a statement.
During the meal, Yoon and Han took so-called "love shots," drinking out of their individual glasses with their arms crossed. Yoon's glass was filled with beer, and Han's glass was filled with Coke Zero, as he doesn't drink alcohol.
Political observers view this gesture as reflecting their intention to dispel concerns about reports of a conflict between the two that arose in the lead-up to the April 10 general election and was pursued through the national convention.
The banquet was held in a friendly atmosphere, according to the presidential office, reflecting a message of unity.
Yoon shook hands with Han, who was waiting for him on the front lawn, and offered him encouragement.
"Thank you for your hard work," Yoon told Han.
Yoon was said to have repeated a message of "sticking together" throughout the meal, calling on the party to unite and put behind the rivalries in the national convention.
"I will do my best for the success of the president, the Yoon Suk Yeol government and the revamping of the government," Han replied.
Yoon referred to the new PPP chief and "our Han Dong-hoon" throughout the event, rekindling their old camaraderie, telling stories of their time working together as prosecutors.
![President Yoon Suk Yeol, center right, claps during a dinner for the People Power Party’s new leadership at Pine Grass, a garden in front of the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul, on Wednesday evening. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2024/07/25/b4c74c4b-8a61-4ec9-8185-903402ca1a7d.jpg)
President Yoon Suk Yeol, center right, claps during a dinner for the People Power Party’s new leadership at Pine Grass, a garden in front of the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul, on Wednesday evening. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]
The president also asked the three contenders who lost against Han in the chairmanship race to put behind the convention and said, "Let's be considerate of each other and unite."
The three failed PPP leadership candidates likewise pledged their intention to unite the party and government.
"Let us all become the president's chief spokesperson," Na said.
In turn, Won stressed, "We are one team," while Rep. Yoon said that the "president's success is the party's success and everyone's success."
During his closing remarks, President Yoon said, "We must become one in the future and help Chairman Han Dong-hoon to do well. When there is any difficulty, those around him should help and not leave him to solve it alone."
The dinner menu, personally selected by Yoon, included pork belly, pork ribs and ssam, a Korean dish consisting of wrapping meat, rice and condiments in lettuce or other leafy vegetables as a symbol of harmony.
According to the presidential office, "Samgyeopsal (pork belly) symbolizes the unity of the party, government and presidential office, and is a representative Korean food eaten among close friends and signifies frank communication and dialogue."
Han, Yoon's former justice minister and trusted confidant dating from their time as senior and junior prosecutors, took over as the PPP's interim leader in December last year.
However, ahead of the general election, Yoon and Han reportedly faced a rocky patch in relations after clashing over issues including election nominations and the handling of allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee accepted a luxury bag from a pastor. Han stepped down as PPP interim chief to take responsibility for the party's crushing defeat to the liberal Democratic Party in April's general election.
It has been almost six months since Yoon and Han had an official meal since their luncheon on Jan. 29. Han declined Yoon's offer to meet for a meal in mid-April, after the general election, for health reasons.
Most senior presidential officials, including National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin, participated in Wednesday's dinner. However, first lady Kim, who was questioned by prosecution on Sunday over her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation case and for accepting a luxury handbag from a pastor, didn't.
There was no discussion of deeper political issues during the event, and Yoon and Han reportedly didn't have separate talks. However, the two agreed to hold a private meeting at a later date.
BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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