South Korea’s political landscape took a dramatic turn as Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party, announced his resignation on Monday. This move comes in the wake of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment by the National Assembly last Saturday.
In a televised press conference, Han explained that the resignation of the party’s supreme council members had effectively crippled the leadership structure, leaving him unable to fulfill his duties as party leader. “With the council’s collapse, it is impossible for me to carry on,” Han stated solemnly.
He offered a heartfelt apology to the citizens who were affected by the brief imposition of emergency martial law, which President Yoon declared on the night of December 3rd. The martial law was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later, but not before causing widespread concern and unrest among the populace.
“Efforts were made to find a better path for our nation, one that did not involve impeachment,” Han noted, referencing his earlier attempts to secure an “orderly resignation” from President Yoon. “Unfortunately, those efforts did not succeed.”
Han’s departure marks a significant shift, coming less than five months after he was elected as party leader on July 23rd. His resignation follows the impeachment proceedings against President Yoon, whose presidential powers are now suspended as the constitutional court deliberates over the next 180 days.
The aftermath of the impeachment has seen turmoil within the People Power Party. All five elected members of the party’s supreme council have expressed their intention to step down. With Han’s resignation, floor leader Kweon Seong-dong will assume the role of acting leader of the ruling party.
As the nation watches these developments unfold, uncertainties loom over the future of South Korean leadership. The swift changes highlight the volatile nature of the current political environment, leaving citizens and observers alike awaiting the constitutional court’s decision and the potential implications for the country’s governance.
