The leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called for the immediate suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, marking a dramatic shift in his stance and intensifying the pressure on Yoon as parliament prepares for an impeachment vote. Han’s reversal stems from what he described as “credible evidence” implicating Yoon in ordering the arrest of key politicians during Tuesday night’s brief but contentious martial law declaration.
“In light of these new emerging facts, I have concluded that it is necessary to suspend President Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers promptly to protect South Korea and its people,” Han said. Previously, he had opposed impeachment, citing the risk of chaos and unrest. However, Han now warns that allowing Yoon to remain in power could lead to a recurrence of extreme actions like the martial law decree, putting the nation in jeopardy. “If President Yoon continues to hold the presidency, there is a significant risk that extreme actions like this martial law declaration could be repeated, putting South Korea and its citizens in grave danger,” he added.
The martial law declaration, which was struck down within hours by lawmakers, has sparked widespread outrage across South Korea. Protesters and opposition parties have called for Yoon’s impeachment, with criticism mounting even within his own party. While the People Power Party has criticized Yoon’s actions, it has not formally endorsed impeachment.
Han’s call for suspension, however, does not necessarily equate to supporting impeachment. Jehua Ryu, deputy director of the People Power Party Strategy Planning Headquarters, clarified, “Suspension is not impeachment. There are various ways to suspend President Yoon’s authority.” Ryu also noted that Han planned to meet with Yoon on Friday afternoon.
Han’s evolving stance represents a significant departure from his earlier efforts to prevent impeachment. On Thursday, he criticized the liberal Democratic Party for prioritizing political interests over national stability. “The Democratic Party is prioritizing their political interests over the potential damage and instability this rushed impeachment could bring to the people,” Han said in an interview with CNN. Yet, he emphasized that he would not defend Yoon’s mistakes and had even urged the president to step down from the People Power Party.
Han has been a vocal critic of the martial law decree, labeling it “unconstitutional.” Reflecting on his reaction, he shared, “I was completely shocked. My first thought was: this is a serious problem.” He revealed that he learned about the declaration through television, like most South Koreans, as neither he nor other high-ranking officials had been informed beforehand.
Determined to address the crisis, Han rushed to his party’s office and gathered ten lawmakers to head to the National Assembly. They managed to bypass police resistance and participate in the parliamentary vote, which unanimously overturned the martial law order. Han noted, “The eighteen (ruling party) lawmakers who voted were there because I brought them along. To clarify, more members wanted to participate, but they couldn’t get in due to the military’s restrictions.”
The martial law declaration has reignited painful memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past. Over the past four decades, the nation has transformed into a vibrant democracy with protected freedoms and a robust tradition of protests. Han acknowledged this legacy, stating, “South Korea has a strong tradition of resolving crises democratically and through solidarity. As you’ve seen, we managed to address the issue of martial law quickly, which demonstrates the maturity of South Korea’s democracy.”
Despite the swift reversal of the martial law order, the political fallout continues. Some lawmakers have remained in the parliamentary building since Tuesday, fearing that Yoon might attempt another declaration of martial law. Meanwhile, calls for Yoon’s resignation are growing louder as parliament debates an impeachment motion, with a vote anticipated in the coming days.
Under South Korea’s constitution, a two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly is required to pass an impeachment motion to the Constitutional Court for review. The Democratic Party, along with minor opposition parties and independents, holds 192 seats, meaning at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party would need to support the motion for it to proceed.
As the situation unfolds, Han’s stance underscores the internal divisions within the ruling party and the broader challenges to Yoon’s presidency. While Han has stopped short of endorsing impeachment, his call for suspension signals a profound shift in the political landscape, reflecting the gravity of the crisis at hand.
