Han Dong-hoon accepted responsibility for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.
Following the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), resigned from his post.
Yoon’s impeachment stemmed from his brief December declaration of martial law, a move supported by some within his own party. The South Korean parliament voted for impeachment on Saturday.
“I am resigning as leader of the People Power Party,” Han announced at a Monday press conference at the National Assembly.
He cited the resignations of all five PPP Supreme Council members as making his continued leadership “impossible.”
“While I explored alternatives to impeachment, I found none. The responsibility lies with me, and I apologize,” he stated.
Initially, the PPP boycotted the December 7th impeachment vote, hoping for Yoon’s voluntary resignation. However, when the president refused, Han reversed his position, deeming impeachment necessary to uphold South Korean democracy.
Han, who assumed the party leadership in July, expressed “no regrets” about his stance during the press conference. He maintained that the martial law declaration was wrong and “illegal,” even though it originated from “a president from our own party.”
Kweon Seong-dong, the newly elected floor leader, will serve as acting party head.
The political crisis began December 3rd when Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law in a televised address, accusing the opposition of pro-North Korea sympathies and plotting a “rebellion,” without providing evidence.
Within hours, 190 lawmakers, overcoming military blockades, unanimously voted to revoke the decree. Widespread public protests condemned the president’s actions.
Less than six hours later, Yoon rescinded the martial law declaration.
Last week, facing investigation for potential insurrection, Yoon defended his actions as a “highly calibrated political judgment” and vowed to resist impeachment and investigations.
On Monday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court commenced its review of the impeachment, determining whether Yoon should be removed from office. Investigators plan to question Yoon this week.