Former ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon's books are displayed at a bookstore in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP), signaled his return to politics on Wednesday with the release of his book, "The People Come First."

He stepped down from the post on Dec. 16, two days after the National Assembly impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, amid growing internal strife within the party.

PPP lawmakers had been heavily divided over whether to vote in favor or against the impeachment. The pro-Yoon faction within the party, including floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, argued that all members should vote against the motion, while Han and many others pushed for a change in the PPP's official stance.

Following Han's resignation, the PPP shifted to an interim leadership committee system. Han had largely remained out of the public eye until Feb. 16, when he teased his book on Facebook. Even before its official release on Wednesday, the book topped the bestseller list at major bookstores.

The book chronicles the two turbulent weeks following Yoon's martial law declaration from the perspective of the PPP leader at that time. Key events include the Assembly's passage of a resolution lifting martial law and Han's resignation as the leader of the ruling party.

In the book, he describes Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), as "the most dangerous man in Korea."

"If Lee, the most dangerous man in Korea, gains control of the [government], he may employ extreme tactics such as declaring martial law or revising punishment regulations to avoid a guilty verdict," he said.

The DPK leader faces allegations of election law violations, misuse of public funds, bribery and involvement in a property development scandal. He was recently acquitted of perjury charges but received a suspended sentence for making false statements during his 2022 campaign.

Regarding Han's memoir, Lee told reporters, "To Buddha, everyone appears like a Buddha, and to a dog, everyone appears like a dog."

Han, in response, said, "I will be a dog that protects the people. Good luck with the trial."

Han plans to launch a nationwide tour to promote his memoir starting in March, a move widely seen as a sign of his return to politics.

Former ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, left, waves to his supporters before leaving the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 16. Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon

However, political analysts predict that Han's popularity will gradually decline over time as he faces political challenges.

"Han may be in the spotlight for now, but his long-term prospects don't look promising. I understand that he is trying to position himself as the anti-Lee Jae-myung candidate but to win a primary, he must secure strong support from party members," said Eom Kyeong-young, director of the Zeitgeist Institute, a private political think tank.

"However, Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo is considered a strong presidential contender within the PPP, followed by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo. For Han to boost his approval ratings, he must clarify his stance on Yoon's impeachment — whether he supports or opposes it."

Pro-Yoon lawmakers criticized Han's return, saying his apparent return to politics is overshadowing Yoon's impeachment trial.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the PPP said, "Now is not the time for Han. Isn't the Constitutional Court expected to rule on President Yoon's impeachment in early to mid-March? I don't want him to overshadow the president's moment."

Han previously served as justice minister from May 2022 to December 2023. He played a key role as an anti-corruption prosecutor alongside Yoon in securing convictions for former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and the family members of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.

However, Han's relationship with Yoon soured due to differences over how to carry out medical reforms and handle controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee.