[Exclusive] "Orderly Resignation" · "Best Efforts for Resolution"... Han Dong-hoon and Han Deok-su's National Address

Handonghun "Yoon Will Not Intervene in State Affairs Such as Diplomacy Before Resignation"
Handuksu "Passing Government-Submitted Budget Necessary for Economic Recovery"
General-Level Statement Without Specific Resignation Roadmap

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon issued a public address on December 8 regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation following the emergency martial law situation. Both expressed their commitment to an orderly resignation and resolving the national turmoil but did not disclose any concrete plans or ideas, limiting their statements to a general level. Additionally, they did not take questions from reporters gathered on-site, raising doubts about the true nature of the "orderly resignation."

At 11 a.m. that day, Prime Minister Han and Leader Han announced at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, "We believe that the majority of the public judges that President Yoon Suk-yeol should step down because he cannot normally manage state affairs during the remainder of his term," adding, "Even before his resignation, President Yoon will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy."

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Prime Minister Han also stated, "As Prime Minister, I feel a heavy responsibility for the current situation," emphasizing, "Above all, it is crucial that there be no gap whatsoever in state affairs." He urged the opposition party, saying, "For the government to operate normally even in an emergency, the passage of the budget and related bills submitted by the government is essential," and stressed, "Each ministry must prepare to execute their budgets on time to restore the livelihood economy promptly."

After the public address, both officials left without taking questions from reporters. Below are the public addresses by Leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Public Address by Leader Han Dong-hoon

Hello, I am Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party. The liberal democracy achieved through the sacrifices of our people is the pride of the Republic of Korea. However, the events on December 3, including the president's declaration of emergency martial law and the entry of martial law troops into the National Assembly, were unconstitutional acts that undermined Korea's liberal democracy.

Nevertheless, the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift the martial law within two hours and thirty minutes, and ultimately, the unconstitutional emergency martial law was stopped in a constitutional manner within five hours. This proved that our Republic of Korea's system is functioning normally and that a mature liberal democratic system remains intact.

However, the national anxiety and damage caused by the emergency martial law situation are enormous and irreversible. The public's disappointment and distrust toward the government are very significant. I believe that the majority of the people judge that President Yoon Suk-yeol should step down because he cannot normally manage state affairs during the remainder of his term.

The People Power Party, as the ruling party, humbly accepts the stern evaluation and judgment of the people. We will minimize the confusion caused to the Republic of Korea and its people through an orderly early presidential resignation, stabilize the political situation, and restore liberal democracy. Along with this, we will protect the livelihood economy and Korea's national dignity.

The already difficult livelihood economy has worsened due to this situation, and allied countries including the United States and France have expressed concerns about Korea's security and public order. We will minimize confusion through an orderly resignation to alleviate domestic and international anxieties and restore livelihoods and national dignity. After internal discussions, we will promptly announce specific measures.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has also promised to entrust the party with stabilizing the political situation, including his term, in accordance with the people's mandate. Therefore, I believe there will be no confusion during the orderly early resignation process. Until the president's resignation, the prime minister will closely consult with the party to manage livelihoods and state affairs without disruption. Even before resignation, the president will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy. We will ensure that neither the public nor the international community has concerns about this.

The investigation by law enforcement agencies into the ongoing emergency martial law situation will be conducted strictly, without sanctuary, and transparently. Neither the government nor the party will defend anyone, including the president.

We must take care of livelihoods. Ultimately, overcoming this crisis is a very important practical task. The impact on diplomacy and the economy is significant. Minimizing this impact to reduce harm to the people is our most important immediate goal.

We will regularize meetings between the People Power Party leader and the prime minister. Through weekly or more frequent regular meetings and reasonable communication, we will discuss urgent state affairs such as the economy, diplomacy, and national defense, and prepare countermeasures to ensure there is no gap in state affairs. Above all, the most important thing is stabilizing the people's lives. We will prevent the people's lives from collapsing due to confusion and conflict. We will focus solely on the people, manage the current situation, and restore the Republic of Korea. Thank you.

Public Address by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

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Dear fellow citizens, I feel a heavy responsibility as prime minister for the current situation. I sincerely apologize to the people. The government will look solely to the people and do its utmost to resolve the current situation quickly. Above all, it is crucial that there be no gap whatsoever in state affairs.

I will serve the people with my utmost effort every moment to ensure the nation's security and the people's daily lives remain stable without any disruption. The pain of ordinary citizens due to sluggish domestic demand is considerable. Concerns about the expanding risk of economic slowdown are growing. International uncertainty is also increasing. Maintaining a strong Korea-U.S. alliance and robust Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation is a very significant and important task. The entire cabinet, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will do its best to maintain trust with the U.S., Korea-U.S.-Japan, and our allies.

All cabinet members and public officials, including myself, will prioritize the people's will and work with the ruling party to pool wisdom and operate all national functions stably and smoothly. We will establish a firm security posture and manage external trust steadily. We will strengthen the emergency economic response system, closely monitor risks in financial and foreign exchange markets, and respond swiftly. We will establish public order to prevent any anxiety among the people and thoroughly prepare for various disasters.

Fellow citizens, now is the time for us to unite beyond everything. We have endured many hardships that other countries have not experienced. Each time, we overcame them because each citizen had the wisdom to foresee and worry about the nation's future. I believe our people will show their unique wisdom once again.

I earnestly ask the opposition party as well: for the government to operate normally even in an emergency, the passage of the budget and related bills submitted by the government is essential. The budget must be promptly approved so that each ministry can prepare to execute it on time, enabling the livelihood economy to recover promptly during this difficult period. Furthermore, I hope that under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, parliamentary operations through bipartisan consultations will foster listening, compromise, rationality, and coordination. The government will lower itself first and seek cooperation.

Fellow citizens, although we are currently facing difficulties, I believe we can overcome them with your strength and wisdom. This is a time when patience and moderation are desperately needed. I trust in the people's resilience. The government will do its utmost. Thank you.