Seoul, South Korea — Han Dong-hoon, the chief of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, pledged on Thursday to block an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol, initiated by opposition parties.
Speaking at the party’s supreme council meeting, Han emphasized his commitment to prevent the motion from passing in parliament. He stated that this effort aims to protect the public and supporters from the potential harm of what he described as an “unprepared impeachment.”
The impeachment vote is scheduled to take place in parliament on Saturday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Despite his efforts to block the impeachment, Han distanced himself from defending President Yoon’s recent declaration of emergency martial law. “I have never tried to defend the president’s unconstitutional martial law declaration,” Han said, adding that those responsible for causing public anxiety through the unlawful action should be held strictly accountable.
Han recounted his meeting with President Yoon the previous day, during which the president attributed the martial law declaration to the “tyranny” of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party. Han expressed difficulty in sympathizing with the president’s perspective, asserting that the opposition’s actions did not justify the imposition of martial law.
“The Democratic Party’s tyranny cannot justify an unconstitutional and illegal martial law order,” Han stated. He called on President Yoon once again to defect from the conservative party.
On Wednesday, the Democratic Party, along with five minor parties, submitted the impeachment motion against President Yoon. The president had declared emergency martial law on Tuesday night but repealed the order early Wednesday after parliament voted against it.
Reference(s):
S. Korea's ruling party chief vows to block Yoon's impeachment motion
cgtn.com
