Seoul, South Korea — In a dramatic turn of events, Han Dong-hoon, leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, has called for President Yoon Suk-yeol to be immediately suspended from his duties. Han claims to possess “credible evidence” that President Yoon mobilized troops with the intent to arrest political leaders during a recently declared martial law.
At an emergency meeting of the party’s leadership on Friday, Han stated, “I learned last night the president ordered the defense counterintelligence commander to arrest major political leaders, characterizing them as anti-state forces, and mobilized intelligence institutions in the process.”
Han expressed deep concern over the president’s actions, warning that if Yoon continues to serve, “extreme acts like this emergency martial law will be repeated.” He added, “It’s my judgment that an immediate suspension of President Yoon’s official duties is necessary to protect South Korea and its people.”
The call for suspension marks a sharp reversal from Han’s position just a day prior, when he pledged that his party would fight an opposition-led impeachment motion. Although Han stopped short of explicitly calling for impeachment, his remarks have intensified the political upheaval.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, echoed the urgency in a televised speech on Friday, stating that suspending President Yoon is crucial “as quickly as possible.”
The opposition plans to hold a parliamentary vote on President Yoon’s impeachment around 7 p.m. local time on Saturday. The outcome remains uncertain, with speculation on how many ruling party lawmakers might support the motion. The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, hold a combined 192 seats in the National Assembly. To pass the impeachment motion, at least 200 votes — a two-thirds majority of the 300-seat parliament — are required, necessitating support from at least eight members of the ruling party.
Should the impeachment pass, President Yoon would be immediately stripped of his constitutional powers. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would then assume leadership in an acting capacity until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove Yoon from office or restore his presidential duties.
In response to the unfolding crisis, Prime Minister Han on Friday urged all cabinet members and public servants to remain at their posts to ensure the nation’s safety and allow citizens to continue their daily lives without concern. His remarks came in a written statement to the public, following mass resignations from cabinet members amid backlash over the president’s martial law declaration.
Public sentiment towards President Yoon has soured significantly. A Gallup Korea poll released on Friday showed his approval rating plunging 3 percentage points to a record low of 16 percent since he took office in May 2022. Negative assessments of his leadership rose to a record high of 75 percent.
Mass protests are spreading across the country, with citizens from various sectors — including education, religion, non-governmental organizations, and the arts — staging candlelight vigils and rallies denouncing the president’s controversial actions.
President Yoon has not made any public appearances since announcing the lifting of the emergency martial law early Wednesday, merely six hours after its imposition aimed at eradicating what he described as “anti-state” forces.
