Conflicting Views Between Chinhan and Chinyun on an 'Orderly Resignation'... Early Resignation vs. Term Reduction Constitutional Amendment

Held private top-level and party meetings but no conclusion reached
Pro-Kim faction 'early resignation' vs Pro-Yoon faction 'term reduction constitutional amendment'
Unable to decide response method for 2nd impeachment vote

The People Power Party continued discussions on June 9 regarding the timing and method of President Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation but failed to reach a clear conclusion. Differences in opinions between factions were revealed over early resignation and discussions on a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term.

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is moving after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the morning of the same day, the People Power Party held a series of meetings including a closed Supreme Council meeting, an emergency caucus, and a senior members' gathering. The party set a plan to produce results within this week through the newly launched 'Political Stabilization Task Force (TF)'.

Secretary-General Seo Beom-su told reporters after the caucus, "What we reached consensus on today is that rather than impeachment, the (president's resignation timing) should be brought forward somewhat quickly."

During the caucus, it was reported that the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction advocated for 'early resignation', while the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction pushed for 'constitutional amendment to shorten the term'. Regarding the resignation roadmap, there were clear differences of opinion among lawmakers, making it uncertain how quickly a conclusion can be reached.

Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk said on MBC Radio that "Representative Han Dong-hoon's position is that '(rather than impeachment) resignation is appropriate' and 'it would be better to announce a resignation program at a speed comparable to impeachment'."

Shin Ji-ho, Deputy Head of Strategic Planning, mentioned on BBS Radio that "whether within one year or six months, an orderly resignation would be much more helpful for social stability," referring to a scenario of resignation within '6 months to 1 year' rather than impeachment.

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is attending a closed-door party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Among the party mainstream, the pro-Yoon faction and senior members, the atmosphere is leaning toward a resignation roadmap through a constitutional amendment to shorten the term. They are aiming to set President Yoon's resignation timing around the local elections the year after next or later.

With the opposition party's impeachment offensive intensifying, it is necessary to present a concrete resignation timeline before the second impeachment vote scheduled for the 14th.

It is also unclear whether the People Power Party will again decide to oppose the second impeachment motion as the party line or abstain from the vote.

In fact, the pro-Yoon faction insists that the party line should remain abstention from the second impeachment vote as well, but the pro-Han faction is pressuring, saying that they cannot forcibly block the vote and cannot rule out the possibility of its passage.

Opinions were divided during the caucus as well. Lawmaker Lee Yang-su said in a briefing, "It seems that a decision will be made at the caucus before the plenary session is scheduled and the vote takes place."

Regarding the public address made by Representative Han and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo the day before, Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun urged, "Since the president's address entrusts (state affairs) to the party, all related roadmaps should be decided by gathering consensus at the caucus."

Regarding Representative Han's remarks implying that the president's military command authority is included in the scope of 'duty suspension', Lawmaker Yoon said on the same day, "No one can exclude the president's authority unless it is based on the Constitution and laws."

Representative Han did not respond to reporters' questions related to this. Secretary-General Seo said, "From a legal logic standpoint, it is difficult for us to defend (this position)."

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