The Dilemma of Impeachment Approval... Han Dong-hoon Losing Standing Within the Party

Pro-Chin Yoon Lawmakers Likely to Vote 'Yes' for Approval
If Passed, Possible Attacks on 'Ruling Party Leader Who Couldn't Protect the President'
Will They Demand Resignation... Immediate Resignation Unlikely>

On the 14th, if the 'Impeachment Motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol' is passed in the National Assembly, there is a prospect that Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, may face an uncertain position within the party.

According to political circles on the 13th, pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction lawmakers are expected to participate in the vote for the passage of the second impeachment motion against President Yoon. Following Han's official statement the previous day that "there is no option other than impeachment," pro-Han faction lawmakers have united. Seven lawmakers, including Jin Jong-oh and Han Ji-a, publicly expressed their support, and the number of lawmakers voting in favor is likely to increase during the actual impeachment vote.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is holding an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the 12th regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Some argue that pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction lawmakers will also cast affirmative votes in the impeachment vote. A People Power Party official said, "Pro-Yoon faction lawmakers will naturally participate and vote in the plenary session on the 14th." Unlike the first vote, it is highly likely that People Power Party lawmakers will participate in the second vote. The intentions of the pro-Yoon faction differ. The impeachment vote is conducted by secret ballot, so it is unknown who voted for or against it. The pro-Yoon faction appears to intend to use this to pass the impeachment motion against President Yoon and then hold Han and the pro-Han faction lawmakers accountable under the pretext of being the 'party leader and leadership who failed to protect the president.' President Yoon also reportedly eased the burden on the pro-Yoon faction by stating that he would "resist impeachment or investigation," effectively signaling his intention to engage in legal battles.

The passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon is expected to deal a blow to Han's leadership. Although the People Power Party caucus decided on a party stance to reject the impeachment motion, the motion's passage is happening under Han's leadership. If the impeachment passes, Han will be labeled a traitor and may face demands to resign from his leadership position. Kim Min-jeon, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party classified as pro-Yoon, stated to reporters at the National Assembly the previous day, "If the impeachment motion passes, the entire party leadership should resign." If all four elected Supreme Council members resign, the People Power Party leadership will collapse, and an emergency committee will be established.

Han is unlikely to resign immediately after the impeachment vote. Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on YTN Radio that day, "Han not only supports impeachment but seems to have a strong personal conviction to see it through," adding, "Therefore, even if the impeachment passes, there is no reason for him to resign, nor does he seem to intend to do so." A variable could be the shift in stance by local government heads affiliated with the People Power Party, who have come to see the impeachment of President Yoon as inevitable. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum, Chungbuk Governor Kim Young-hwan, and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok expressed their positions the previous day in favor of impeaching President Yoon.

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