South Korea’s Ruling Party Chief Vows to Block Impeachment of President Yoon

South Korea’s Ruling Party Chief Vows to Block Impeachment of President Yoon

Han Dong-hoon, chief of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, pledged on Thursday to prevent the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol from passing in parliament. The motion, driven by opposition parties, is scheduled for a vote on Saturday.

Speaking at the party’s supreme council meeting, Han emphasized his commitment to protecting the nation and its supporters from the potential damage of what he termed an “unprepared impeachment.” He vowed to make every effort to block the motion, underscoring the need for political stability.

Han clarified that his stance was not an attempt to defend President Yoon’s recent declaration of emergency martial law, which he acknowledged as unconstitutional. “Those responsible for causing anxiety and damage through the unconstitutional martial law should be held strictly accountable,” he stated.

Reflecting on his meeting with President Yoon the previous day, Han expressed difficulty in aligning with the president’s perspective. He noted that Yoon attributed the martial law declaration to the “tyranny” of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party. Han countered that such justification does not excuse the unconstitutional and illegal martial law order.

“The Democratic Party’s actions cannot justify violating our constitution,” Han asserted, urging President Yoon to reconsider his position within the conservative party.

On Wednesday, the Democratic Party and five minor parties submitted the impeachment motion against Yoon. The president had declared an emergency martial law on Tuesday night, only to repeal it early Wednesday after the parliament voted against it.