In a call that marks a decisive shift in the ruling party’s response to the crisis, the Head of South Korea’s ruling party has called for the swift suspension of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s powers, citing “credible evidence” following his short-lived declaration of martial law.
People Power Party (PPP) leader, Han Dong-hoon, who had earlier said that he would oppose efforts to impeach Yoon, stated that “newly emerging facts” had tipped the scales against the President.
Han disclosed that he learned that the President ordered the defence counter-intelligence commander to arrest major political leaders, characterising them as anti-state forces, and mobilised intelligence institutions in the process.
“I have said that to prevent this country from descending into further chaos, I would try to stop the impeachment bill from passing this time.
“But based on what has been revealed, to protect South Korea and our people, I believe it is necessary to stop President Yoon from exercising his powers as president promptly.”
Han Dong-hoon
Han said that Yoon had failed to acknowledge that his martial law declaration was illegal and wrong.
Yoon shocked the country and his own party early this week when he announced he was imposing martial law in order to root out “anti-state forces” and overcome obstructionist political opponents.
He reversed course about six hours later after parliament, including some members of his party, voted to oppose the decree. He is due to face an impeachment vote on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
“[If] President Yoon continues to hold the office of the presidency, there is a significant risk that extreme actions similar to the martial law declaration could be repeated, which could put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger.”
Han Dong-hoon
On Friday, the head of South Korean special forces, Commander Kwak Jong-geun, disclosed that he had been ordered to “drag out” lawmakers from parliament on the night martial law was declared.
The opposition Democratic Party has called for a vote on Saturday night to impeach Yoon, but it needs at least eight votes from the ruling party to reach the necessary two-thirds threshold in the 300-member National Assembly.
Until now, the PPP had indicated it would oppose Yoon’s impeachment.
Han’s Statement Influenced By Gravity Of Situation
Shin Yul, Professor of political science at Myongji University, told a news agency, that while there may still be a few ruling party members supporting Yoon Suk Yeol, it seems that “Han’s statements today are significantly influenced by the gravity of the situation, particularly the mobilisation of intelligence agencies to arrest politicians.”
“It appears that Han and the party leaders have concluded there is actually a significant possibility that President Yoon may declare a second martial law.”
Shin Yul
Cho Kyoung-tae, a senior ruling party lawmaker who supports Yoon’s impeachment, told reporters that each party lawmaker must decide “whether they want to take the people’s side or become collaborators of martial law forces.”
Others however said that they did not want a repeat of the 2016 impeachment of then-president Park Geun-hye, which triggered the implosion of the conservative Grand National party and a victory by liberals in presidential and general elections.
Yoon Sang-hyun, a five-time ruling party lawmaker, said that he still opposed impeachment.
“We cannot impeach the President tomorrow and hand over the regime to Lee Jae-Myung’s Democratic party. It is not for the sake of protecting President Yoon Suk Yeol, but for the sake of the Republic of Korea’s system and our children’s future. I cannot participate in the impeachment of the President tomorrow.”
Yoon Sang-hyun
If the motion is successful, South Korea’s Constitutional Court would then rule on whether to confirm Yoon’s removal from office.
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