Handonghun Effectively Expresses Support for Impeachment... Impeachment Vote May Be Moved Up to Today

Han "Yoon's Prompt Suspension from Duty Needed"
Party Seems to Judge Further Protection Impossible
People Power Party Holds Emergency Meeting at 11 AM

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, reversed his initial stance on the 6th and expressed support for impeachment. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also mentioned "swift removal from office," increasing the likelihood that the impeachment vote will be moved up from the 7th to the 6th.

At an emergency Supreme Council meeting that day, Han stated, "I believe that the prompt suspension of President Yoon Seok-yeol's duties is necessary to protect the Republic of Korea and its people." He reversed the party's previous position opposing the impeachment motion against President Yoon, citing the mobilization of intelligence agencies to arrest key politicians and the failure to take personnel actions against responsible military officials as reasons. The Supreme Council meeting was not originally scheduled but was urgently announced at 7:24 PM and held. The meeting was initially planned for 8:40 PM but actually started at 9:30 PM. Prior to the meeting, a pre-meeting reportedly involved heated debates over verifying the facts that Han intended to disclose.

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Han also criticized President Yoon's response following the 'martial law.' He said, "President Yoon has not taken any personnel actions against military officials illegally involved in this incident, not even against Brigadier General Yeo In-hyung, the Counterintelligence Commanding Officer," adding, "and he does not even acknowledge that this martial law was wrong." Han further stated, "If President Yoon continues to perform his presidential duties, there is a high risk that extreme actions like this emergency martial law will recur, which could put the Republic of Korea and its people in great danger."

Han appears to have decided on impeachment because he judged that protecting President Yoon at the party level was no longer possible. Voices openly supporting impeachment have emerged within the People Power Party. Cho Kyung-tae, a senior and longest-serving member of the party, told reporters, "The act of declaring martial law itself was unconstitutional and illegal," and added, "The president's duties must be suspended quickly." When asked if several ruling party members shared his support for President Yoon's impeachment, Cho said, "The choice between standing with the people through suspension of presidential duties or becoming collaborators with the forces that declared martial law is a matter politicians must decide," appealing, "I hope all People Power Party politicians stand on the side of the people."

In this context, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, convened an emergency party meeting at 11 AM that day to discuss the impeachment issue again. Previously, the People Power Party had confirmed its opposition stance through a party meeting on the 4th. Re-discussing this issue raises the possibility of intensified internal division. During the martial law period, 18 People Power Party lawmakers entered the National Assembly plenary hall demanding the lifting of martial law. If the party revises its official stance or experiences internal splits, the likelihood of the impeachment motion passing in the plenary session will increase significantly.

According to the Constitution, presidential impeachment requires approval by two-thirds of the total members of the National Assembly. The opposition has secured 192 seats but was concerned about falling short by 8 votes to pass impeachment. However, some senior members of the People Power Party have expressed opposition to impeachment, suggesting fierce debate ahead. Yoon Sang-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, said, "Presidential impeachment is a major turning point in constitutional governance," adding, "I cannot join the opposition's claims without verifying the facts first." He emphasized that fact verification is necessary before proceeding.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The opposition already perceives Floor Leader Choo as an accomplice in the crime of rebellion. Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "Floor Leader Choo is inevitably seen as a key accomplice and major participant in the illegal martial law rebellion incident," adding, "The Democratic Party is considering filing charges for rebellion." While the Democratic Party proposed a meeting with Han, it hinted at applying rebellion charges against Floor Leader Choo, thereby increasing pressure on him.

In fact, People Power Party lawmakers are reportedly individually deliberating on this matter ahead of the plenary vote. Although the party's official stance was to reject the impeachment motion, some senior lawmakers spoke out, and Floor Leader Choo made a unilateral decision, leading to voices questioning the legitimacy of the party's decision-making process. A People Power Party lawmaker said in a phone interview, "I understand that everyone is thinking separately," adding, "Each of our decisions carries great weight, and we are all considering what alternatives to propose."

Voices from the opposition also called for advancing the impeachment vote. Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, said at an emergency press conference that day, "Leader Han also agreed on the necessity of impeachment," and urged, "Let's handle it today without waiting until the 7th." The Democratic Party also stated, "We will decide on the timing of the impeachment vote after reviewing the situation of the People Power Party's party meeting."

Originally, the Democratic Party set the impeachment vote for the 7th, saying, "The public needs some time regarding the impeachment motion, and likewise, People Power Party lawmakers need time to deliberate politically on the unconstitutional and illegal rebellion and coup." For the opposition, if they are confident that more than eight votes will support impeachment, there is sufficient reason to advance the plenary schedule.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a special statement regarding the emergency martial law situation at the National Assembly on the morning of the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Speaker's office stated, "So far, there have been no requests to adjust the plenary session schedule." However, with the People Power Party's party meeting followed by the Democratic Party's decision to hold a party meeting, even partial statements from some People Power Party lawmakers could bring the impeachment vote forward.

If the impeachment motion passes in the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court will proceed with the impeachment trial. Once the motion is approved, the resolution is sent to the Constitutional Court, and the president's duties are suspended thereafter.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.