Seoul, South Korea — In a dramatic turn of events, Han Dong-hoon, leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, has called for the swift suspension of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s constitutional powers. This announcement comes as the fallout from the president’s recent imposition of martial law continues to engulf the nation.
During an emergency meeting with party leadership, Han reversed his previous stance against the opposition’s push to impeach the president. He revealed that on the day martial law was declared, President Yoon ordered the arrest of major politicians. Han claimed to have confirmed through reliable sources that Yoon utilized intelligence agencies in an attempt to detain political figures.
“If President Yoon continues to perform his duties, extreme actions such as the martial law declaration could be repeated, putting the country and people into great danger,” Han warned. His remarks signal a significant fracture within the ruling party and raise concerns about the stability of South Korea’s government.
Just a day prior, Han had vowed to block the impeachment motion driven by opposition parties. The main opposition Democratic Party has scheduled the impeachment vote for Saturday evening, intensifying the political crisis. Meanwhile, the national police force has initiated an investigation into President Yoon on charges of insurrection filed by opposition members and activists.
Public sentiment appears to be shifting decisively. A poll conducted on Thursday by local firm Realmeter showed that 73.6 percent of respondents support the president’s impeachment. Thousands of protesters have continued to rally in central Seoul and near the National Assembly, demanding President Yoon’s resignation.
If the impeachment motion passes, President Yoon will be suspended pending a verdict from the Constitutional Court. Should the judges uphold the impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office, and new elections must be held within 60 days. The unfolding events have placed South Korea at a pivotal crossroads, with the nation’s democratic principles and future direction hanging in the balance.
Reference(s):
South Korean ruling party leader calls for suspension of Yoon's powers
cgtn.com