[December 7 National Assembly] 2 PM, Ahn Cheol-soo Demands Han Dong-hoon to Present 'Resignation Schedule'

Ahn Cheol-soo's Conditional Shift from Supporting Impeachment
"Demanding Presentation of Early Resignation Schedule"
Democratic Party's Non-Standing Committee Chair Released from Emergency Standby After Staying 2 Days at National Assembly

After President Yoon Suk-yeol's public address, the atmosphere within the People Power Party changed. Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker who initially expressed support, also expressed conditional support.

In a statement, Ahn said, "Yesterday, I demanded in front of the media and the public that President Yoon announce his resignation schedule and the plan to form a national unity cabinet," adding, "Since President Yoon has entrusted his position to the party today, the party needs to clarify the resignation schedule and whether to form a national unity cabinet before the vote." Ahn also stated, "If the resignation schedule is not established before the vote, my position to follow the will of the people remains unchanged." This means that if the People Power Party does not present a resignation schedule, he will vote in favor of impeachment. Conversely, if a schedule is presented, he will withdraw his position.

Yonhap News

Thus, following Cho Kyung-tae of the People Power Party, who said he would follow the will of Han Dong-hoon, the party leader, Ahn also stepped back from his pro-impeachment stance.

At a meeting with reporters, Ahn said, "Since the president has entrusted the matter to the party, the party must clearly communicate this to the public before the vote," adding, "The party should gather opinions so that an orderly resignation can be achieved in a way that the public can accept."

The Democratic Party lifted the emergency standby of its out-of-parliament committee chairpersons for one night and two days. Kim Yoon-duk, the Democratic Party secretary-general, said, "We are lifting the emergency standby at the National Assembly Members' Office Building," and added, "You can participate in the rally starting at 5 p.m. in front of the National Assembly Station."

Earlier, the People Power Party criticized, "Since yesterday, about 370 Democratic Party members have been staying without permission in the National Assembly Members' Office Building ahead of the scheduled impeachment vote at the plenary session this afternoon," pointing out, "According to the National Assembly Secretariat regulations, outsiders must leave the National Assembly building by 11 p.m., but they ignored this and stayed overnight without permission, spreading mats." They continued, "If the impeachment motion is rejected, those staying inside the National Assembly may resort to verbal abuse, assault, or physical force," and urged, "We hope the National Assembly Secretariat will actively take measures to ensure the National Assembly operates according to regulations."