In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea’s political landscape faces significant upheaval as Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party, announced his resignation on Monday. This decision comes just days after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached by the National Assembly on Saturday.
During a televised press conference, Han stated that the resignation of his party’s supreme council members rendered it impossible for him to continue fulfilling his duties as party leader. “With the supreme council collapsed, I see no path forward in my capacity as leader,” Han declared, expressing deep regret over the circumstances.
Han offered an apology to the citizens affected by the imposition of emergency martial law, which President Yoon declared on the night of December 3. The martial law was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later, highlighting tensions between the executive branch and the legislature.
“We endeavored to find a better path for our nation, one that did not involve the impeachment of President Yoon,” Han noted, referencing his earlier push for an “orderly resignation” of the president. “Unfortunately, all efforts were to no avail.”
Han’s resignation comes less than five months after he assumed the party leadership on July 23, marking a brief and tumultuous tenure. Following the impeachment proceedings, all five elected members of the People Power Party’s supreme council expressed their intent to step down, signaling widespread discontent within the party ranks.
The National Assembly’s passage of the second motion to impeach President Yoon has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political system. The motion has been delivered to the constitutional court, which will deliberate over the next 180 days. During this period, President Yoon’s powers are suspended, leaving a leadership vacuum at the highest level of government.
In the wake of these resignations, Kweon Seong-dong, the party’s floor leader, will serve as the acting leader of the ruling party. The People Power Party now faces the daunting task of navigating this crisis and restoring stability to South Korea’s political scene.
The recent developments have raised concerns among investors, academics, and the South Korean diaspora, all of whom are closely monitoring the situation. The impeachment and subsequent resignations could have significant implications for South Korea’s economic policies, international relations, and social dynamics.
As the nation grapples with these changes, observers are calling for calm and urging political leaders to prioritize the country’s stability and democratic processes. The coming months will be critical in shaping South Korea’s future trajectory.
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South Korea's ruling party leader resigns after Yoon's impeachment
cgtn.com
