Yoon's Party Withdrawal, Cabinet Resignation, Defense Minister Dismissal, and Punishment
Han Dong-hoon Expected to Visit Presidential Office with Three Major Demands
Party Division Feared if Impeachment Occurs, Seems to Demand Yoon's Party Withdrawal
President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law has alienated not only the opposition parties but also the ruling People Power Party. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, is expected to visit the presidential office with three major demands: President Yoon's resignation from the party, the resignation of all cabinet members, and the dismissal and punishment of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
On the morning of the 4th, starting at 7 a.m., the People Power Party held a series of closed-door meetings, including the Supreme Council meeting and a general assembly of lawmakers at the National Assembly, to discuss demands for the entire cabinet's resignation and President Yoon's withdrawal from the party. There were also opinions that Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who proposed the martial law, should be punished. At all the general assembly meetings, Leader Han stated his position, saying, "I will politely request (President Yoon) to leave the party." The reason is that the declaration of martial law created an external crisis severe enough to almost bring South Korea to a halt, which clearly violates the party's spirit of respecting the constitutional principles and prioritizing the people's livelihood.
Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is coming out after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Earlier, when President Yoon declared martial law around 10:27 p.m. the previous day, Han expressed opposition through social media, press releases, and briefings, calling it a "wrong declaration of martial law" and an "unconstitutional and illegal martial law declaration." All 108 incumbent lawmakers of the People Power Party held a closed-door general assembly at the party headquarters and unanimously decided as a party stance to request the lifting of martial law from President Yoon.
Although some pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction lawmakers reportedly opposed President Yoon's withdrawal from the party, the National Assembly has defined the current martial law situation as unconstitutional and illegal, so it is expected that the three demands will be pushed forward. The opposition has announced plans to propose an impeachment motion against President Yoon, and public sentiment for the resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is expected to grow stronger. If the ruling party resists, the government and the ruling party could be lumped together negatively. In particular, the People Power Party has painful experience from the party's division following the National Assembly's approval of the impeachment motion against former President Park Geun-hye in 2016, so rather than repeating impeachment, it seems they are discussing demands for withdrawal from the party.
President Yoon Suk-yeol announced in an emergency address at 4:30 a.m. on the 4th that the martial law declared last night will be lifted in response to the National Assembly's request. The photo shows President Yoon's emergency address being broadcast on the TV in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
On the other hand, some within the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction believe that the opposition will not be able to avoid the impeachment debate against President Yoon, which has now intensified. On the same day, lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae responded to a question from an SBS radio host asking, "Are you also considering the impeachment procedure against President Yoon?" by saying, "I think all possibilities should be kept open." Lawmaker Kim Sang-wook also stated on MBC radio, "I think discussions on impeachment are inevitable," and argued that "normal presidential duties are impossible."
Meanwhile, responsibility may also be raised against pro-Yoon faction floor leader Choo. It is said that Choo caused confusion by convening a general assembly at the Yeouido party headquarters, and People Power Party lawmakers missed the opportunity to participate in the vote. Choo explained, "I tried to share the situation, gather opinions, and move forward, but it did not go well."
President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
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